Imran Tahir-mentored Bahawalpur Royals outclassed Daren Sammy-mentored Hyderabad Hunters by eight wickets in the second match of the Pakistan Junior League in front of the PCB cameras at the Gaddafi Stadium on Friday.

Arham Nawab and Sajjad Ali justified their captain Obaid Shahid’s decision to field first when they equally shared six wickets between them to bowl Hyderabad Hunters out for 113 in 18.3 overs. Opener Basit Ali then stroked a sparkling half-century as Bahawalpur Royals achieved the target with more than seven overs to spare.

In Saturday’s double-header, Colin Munro-mentored Rawalpindi Raiders will take on Sir Vivian Richards-mentored Gwadar Sharks at 3.30pm, while Shoaib Malik-mentored Gujranwala Giants will go toe to toe against Imran Tahir-mentored Bahawalpur Royals at 8pm. Both matches will be broadcast live on PTV Sports.

Put into bat, Hyderabad Hunters lost Arbaz Khan in the second over but captain Saad Baig (34) and Moiz Rana (21) repaired the damage by putting on 47 runs for the second wicket. Saad’s departure at the score of 61 in the seventh over opened all floodgates as Hyderabad Hunters lost their last eight wickets for 52 runs to be bowled out for 113 in 18.3 overs.

After Johan Mahne provided an early breakthrough, Nathan Edward broke the dangerous-looking second wicket partnership by removing Saad before Arham and Sajjad ran through the middle-order to dismiss Hyderabad Hunters for a modest score.

Arham returned figures of 4-0-15-3, while Sajjad recorded figures of 2.3-0-21-3.

In turn, Basit Ali dominated the run-chase with a 30-ball 54 that comprised 11 fours. He was the second batter out at the score of 69 in 7.1 overs, before captain Obaid Shahid (32 not out) and Shawaiz Irfan (18 not out) added 48 runs for the unfinished third wicket to steer Bahawalpur Royals to victory in 12.4 overs.

Scores in brief

Match 2- Bahawalpur Royals beat Hyderabad Hunters by eight wickets

Hyderabad Hunters 113 all out, 18.3 overs (Saad Baig 34, Muneeb Wasif 26, Moiz Rana 21; Arham Nawab 3-15, Sajjad Ali 3-21)

Bahawalpur Royals 117-2, 12.4 overs (Basit Ali 54, Obaid Shahid 32 not out)

Player of the match – Arham Nawab (Bahawalpur Royals).