Lahore Lions book semi-final spot

Group B

Lahore Lions took the D/L route to seal their spot in the semi-finals with a seven-wicket win against the Peshawar Panthers at the Lahore Country Club. Put in by the hosts, Peshawar were off on the wrong foot with Israullah falling off the first ball, bowled by Junaid Zia. But it was captain Sajjad Ahmed’s composed 77 which pushed Peshawar to 182 for 5 in 37. 3 overs. Sajjad stroked seven boundaries during his 100-ball innings. Raza Ali and Sohail Ahmed set the tone during the chase, as Lahore raced to 113. Both openers were severe on the bowlers as Raza brought up his fifty. However, he was dismissed soon after, for 59, having hit five fours and two sixes en route. When the game was finally called off after 14 overs, Lahore’s score of 142 for 3 was enough to hand them the win.Faisalabad Wolves’ thumping victory against Sialkot Stallions at the Iqbal Stadium was not enough to guarantee them a semis spot. A whirlwind 78 from Zeeshan Asif did help them to a nine-wicket win and helped them draw level on points with Lahore on points, but an inferior run-rate meant they had to be content being second on the points table. Faisalabad chose to field first in the match reduced to 20 overs, and Zahoor Khan provided the perfect start with two quick blows. Rizwan Sultan and Ayaz Tasawwar however steadied the Sialkot innings putting on 62 for the third wicket. Rizwan was aggressive during his 45-ball 65, hitting seven sixes, as the visitors finished on 134. The Faisalabad openers were off to a rousing start, as their strike rates soared. Imran Ali and Zeeshan looked firmly in control as they rushed to 114. Zeeshan finally fell having smashed nine boundaries and five sixes in his 30-ball innings. Imran however powered on, hitting six fours during his unbeaten 35 off 16 balls, as the hosts reached the target in the ninth over.

Group C

A brilliant 93 from Sohail Tanvir helped Khan Research Laboratories (KRL) beat Sui Southern Gas Corporation (SSGC) by seven wickets at Khan Research Laboratory Ground. Electing to bat, SSGC made a solid start with openers Asif Zakir and Wajid Ali putting on 44. Ahmed Zeeshan joined Zakir and added a further 77 as the visitors looked on course for a big score. Zakir ended on 53, which included three fours, while Zeeshan stroked five boundaries and a six during his breezy 50. A disciplined bowling performance however contained SSGC to 233. In reply, KRL started impressively with Azhar Ali and Tanvir putting on 62 for the opening wicket. Wicketkeeper Zulfiqar Jan joined Tanvir later to further strengthen the hosts. Tanvir’s 113-ball knock included eight fours and one six while Jan provided able support with a quick 50. However, at 179 for 3, it was left to Rizwan Ahmed (43) who took KRL home in the 43rd over.A sparkling century from Inam-ul-Haq handed Zarai Taraqiati Bank Limited (ZTBL) a seven-wicket win against Pakistan International Airlines (PIA) at the Diamond Club Ground. PIA, who had already secured a place in the last four, chose to bat and looked to be struggling at 54 for 3 before Yasir Hameed starred with a 79-ball 58, comprising six boundaries. The fourth-wicket partnership with Kamran Sajid was the highest of the innings as PIA were bowled out in the 42nd over for 196. Kashif Daud and Abdul Razzaq were ZTBL’s most successful bowlers with three wickets apiece while Junaid Nadir and Zohaib Khan picked up two each. There was a slight hiccup at the start of the chase with Anwar Ali picking up two quick wickets. But Haq seized the initiative and took the game away from PIA. He was partnered well by Adnan Raza who scored a controlled 59. But even when the 146-run stand came to an end, Haq guided ZTBL home in the 39th over. He remained unbeaten on 100, stroking ten fours and two sixes during his 117-ball innings.