Salman Butt struck a whirlwind 99 as Lahore Lions beat Quetta Bears by two runs in the National T20 Cup at Lahore on Saturday.

In the other two matches of the day, also played at Lahore, Karachi Dolphins beat Lahore Eagles by 25 runs and defending champions Faisalabad Wolves beat Abbottabad Rhinos by 20 runs.

The Lions, who are being captained by Pakistan batsman Mohammad Yousuf and are considered one of the favourites in the tournament, set their opponents a target of 188 after they won the toss and elected to bat.

Test opener Salman and Nasir Jamshed put on 77 for the first wicket. Salman's 67-ball knock had 10 boundaries and three sixes. However, Yousuf, bidding to prove a point to the national selectors for his inclusion in the national T20 team, failed as he fell after making only five.

The Bears made a spirited chase thanks mainly to a superb 85 off 54 balls by skipper Shoaib Khan. Shoaib and his opening partner Samiullah (31) raised the 50 in just four overs. But Shoaib's heroics went in vain as Wahab Riaz fell in the last over and the Bears could only manage 185 for four.

In the second match of the day, Fawad Alam (55) and Naumanullah (41) helped the Shahid Afridi-led Karachi Dolphins pile up 187 for four in 20 overs.

Then their medium pacer Anwar Ali got in to the act as he picked three wickets and restricted the Lahore Eagles to 159 for nine. Asif Raza who scored a fantastic 53 off just 21 balls was the lone ranger for the Eagles. But it wasn't enough and the Dolphins won by 25 runs.

Meanwhile, winners of the inaugural edition of the tournament Faisalabad Wolves registered a 20-run win over Abbottabad Rhinos.

The Wolves, led by Pakistan middle order batsman Misbah-ul-Haq, put on a modest 148 for six - guided mainly by a fine 62 by opener Mohammad Hafeez.

During the chase, left-arm pacer Samiullah Niazi put the Rhinos on the back foot by grabbing two quick wickets before Mohammad Talha mopped up the tail as the Rhinos were dismissed for 128 off 18.5 overs.

The winner of the National Twenty20 Cup, being played in Lahore from October 4 to 8, will feature in the Champions Twenty20 League to be played from December 3 to 10.