Former Pakistan batsman Hasan Raza struck an unbeaten 98 as Lahore Badshahs continued their winning run, crushing a weak-looking Mumbai Champs by 50 runs in a Twenty20 match of the ICL played in Panchkula on Saturday night.
The 26-six-year old right-hander's knock, which came off just 52 balls, helped his team post a mammoth total of 187 and it was always going to be an uphill task for the Champs, who have tasted just one win in the tournament so far.
Raza entertained the crowds at the Tau Devi Lal stadium as his knock, the highest so far, was studded with 10 boundaries and four sixes. At the end of Raza's blitzkrieg, even former Australian pacer Michael Kasprowicz could not save his reputation and he ended with figures of 4-0-52-0.
Earlier after electing to bat first, Badshahs opener Imran Farhat gave them solid start despite the loss of two quick wickets at the other end. He struck 40 in just 25 balls.
However, in response, Champs openers Robin Morris (1) and skipper Nathan Astle (12) went quickly.
Barring S N Khanolkar's (28) effort among the top order batsmen and J vander Wath's (33) vain attempt down the order, no other Champs batsman really looked like taking on the challenge.
In the end, they could only manage 137/7, with Naved-ul-Hasan scalping three wickets for the Inzamam-ul Haq led Badshahs, who now have four wins from equal number of matches.
