November 17, 2003	Monday	Ramazan 21, 1424

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KARACHI, Nov 16: Sui Southern Gas Company strolled into the quarterfinal of the Karachi Gymkhana Habib Bank A.G. Zurich Ramazan cricket festival, after handing out a six-wicket defeat to Mohammad Hussain CC at the Karachi Gymkhana ground on Sunday.

With both teams needing to win to qualify for the last eight, Mohammad Hussain CC won the toss and elected to bat first. The youngsters got off to a marvellous start when openers Kamran Sajid (57) and Faisal Iqbal also scoring 57 put on 92 runs for the first wicket.

But with introduction of Abdul Qadir two for 19 and left-arm spinner Sohail Mehdi two for 24, wickets began to fall at regular intervals as Mohammad Hussain CC struggled to reach 171 runs for the loss of six wickets in 25 overs. Needing 172 runs for victory, SSGC were in dire straits losing their first three wickets for with only 41 runs on the board. But a match winning partnership of 84 runs between Mohammad Zafar unbeaten with 64 runs spiced with seven boundaries and a six and left-handed Sohail Mehdi (44 n.o.) with five boundaries and a six, pulled SSGC out of the woods as they achieved the victory target in 21.1 overs scoring 175 runs for the loss of four wickets.

Ayaz Cheema who grabbed three early wickets, finished off with three for 40 runs.

SGGC secured second position in Group C and will now take on the winners of Group A in the quarter-finals.

Omar CC advance: In another encounter played in the afternoon session, Omar CC also reached the quarter-final after getting the better of Godhra Sports by five wickets.

Batting first Godhra Sports were bowled out for 123 runs in 24.3 overs with Asif Hameed three for 18 and Rizwan Qureshi three for 25, causing the batting landslide, after Godhra Sports were comfortably placed at 53 for one wicket.

Shahzad top scored for his side with 29 runs, with Ramzani Ahmed (24) and Irfan Ahmed (20), making further contributions to their team’s total.

Omar CC reached the winning target in 18.4 overs, scoring 126 for the loss of five wickets with Rizwan Qureshi (28) and Shahid Aslam (34) among the runs.

Omar CC champions from Group B will now take on the runners- up in Group D.