KARACHI, Jan 18: A brilliant all-round performance by young Kamran Sajid propelled reigning champions PIA into the final of Patron's Cup national one-day tournament at the National Stadium on Sunday.

Kamran, who turned 20 last month, claimed three for 30 in a tidy spell of right-arm medium bowling as Pakistan Customs were bowled out for 199 in the 49th over in this do-or-die Pool 'A' match. PIA won the match by five wickets with eight overs to spare.

The Lahore-born left-handed opener then played a controlled knock of 87 before being out with the scores level. Another wicket, that of Bazid Khan, fell at the same total before Ahmed Zeeshan Malik stroked to settle the issue beyond doubt by smashing a boundary.

After being invited to bat first by PIA stand-in skipper Ghulam Ali, Customs made a hesitant start on a slightly damp strip, losing the Siddique brothers - Kashif and Khurram - to left-arm paceman Najaf Shah. Khurram, in fact, was brilliantly taken by wicket-keeper Ahmed Zeeshan diving low to his right.

Ahmed Zeeshan scooped another fine catch when Customs captain Aamir Bashir aimed an ambitious drive at Kamran Sajid. Aamir's 34 off 69 balls was the second best of the innings. Left-hander Bilal Khilji top-scored with a 68-ball 46 that included five fours and one six. Naseem Khan, another left-hander, chipped in with a bright 32 off 38 balls.

PIA, in contrast, began their innings on a solid note with Kamran and Ghulam Ali putting on 85 off 117 deliveries for the opening stand. The PIA captain lost his wicket when he tried to cut against the spin for a 54-ball 40, striking seven boundaries in the process.

After Ashraf Ali had gone for 21, Faisal Iqbal hit a boundary before a yorker-length delivery from Junaid Zia cannoned into his stumps. But Kamran and Sajid, who added 75 for the fourth-wicket while playing some lovely drives, all but carried PIA into the final. Kamran was stumped off a wide delivery as he tried to finish the game with a pull but completely missed the line of the ball. His 123-ball innings was laced with nine boundaries.

Bazid also perished with Naseem taking a smart return catch above his head. But PIA outplayed Customs in virtually all departments of the game and booked their place in next Sunday's final against Pool 'B' winners Habib Bank at the same venue. That match promises to be a thriller with both teams expected to field their top stars after the return of Pakistan squad from New Zealand sometime on Wednesday.

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