Johannesburg: Sialkot Stallions beat Hampshire by six wickets in the inconsequential qualifying match of the Champions League T20 here on Thursday.

The teams which had crashed out of the tournament after they lost their first match were playing for pride.

Sialkot chasing a target of 144, rode on a partnership of 96 run between Shoaib Malik and Haris Sohail to reach the target with five balls to spare. Sohail scored 63 off 57 deliveries including eight fours and a six, while Malik hit 39 off 25 balls laced with six fours and a six to help their team bow out of the tournament with their head held high.

Sialkot in their pursuit of the target did not get off to best of starts and lost three quick wickets within the span of seven overs. With the scoreboard reading 28-3, Sohail and Malik joined hands to bat their English outfit out of the match.

Earlier put into bat first, none of the Hampshire batsmen could get going and kept losing wickets at regular interval. Glen Maxwell was the only batsman who looked comfortable against the Sialkot bowlers and led the charge. The Australian all rounder played a fluent a knock of 42 off just 29 deliveries including three fours and two huge hits over the rope.

Sialkot Stallions 144 for 4 (Sohail 63*, Malik 39) beat Hampshire 143 for 8 (Maxwell 42) by six wickets

By Indian Sports News Network