KARACHI, Oct 31: Fine batting by Ameer Mukhtar and Naeem Ahmed Khan inspired Omar CC to reach final of the Aga Khan Gymkhana Ramazan cricket tournament with a 14-run win over AKG Blues at the AKG Ground on Monday.
Ameer (61 off 49 balls with five fours and two sixes) and wicket-keeper Naeem (48 off 40 balls with five boundaries) shared an opening partnership of 106 after AKG Blues chose to field first in the first semifinal.
Despire such a good start, an astonishing collapse saw Omar CC losing all 10 wickets for 55 runs, including the last four for the addition of only five runs.
Slow left-armer Wasim Akbar (4-26) and Shahid Hussain (4-30) shared the bowling honours.
AKG scored 147 for eight in reply with Suleman Huda contributing 32 that included four hits to the fence.
Omar CC play winners of the second semifinal between Tapal CC and Cantt Sports in Thursday’s final.
Summarised scores:
OMAR CC 161 in 19.5 overs (Ameer Mukhtar 61, Naeem Ahmed Khan 48; Wasim Akbar 4-26, Shahid Hussain 4-30, Rahim Suleman 2-33);
AKG BLUES 147-8 in 20 overs (Suleman Huda 32, Arif Pyarali 25, Rahim Suleman 21 not out; Iftikhar Ali 2-18, Tariq Murad 2-26).
Second semifinal: Cantt Sports CC v Tapal CC on Tuesday.