October 17, 2006	Tuesday	Ramazan 23, 1427

Please Visit our Sponsor (Ads open in separate window)

KARACHI, Oct 16: PIA Academy sprang a major shock when they stunned defending champions SSGC to reach the semi-finals of the 21st Karachi Gymkhana-AKD Ramazan cricket tournament at the KG Ground on Monday.

SSGC, who chose to bat first, were bowled out for 128. Opener Asif Zakir hit eight boundaries in making 56 off 43 deliveries. Sohail Mehdi struck an unbeaten 31 off 28 balls with two sixes and one four.

Leg-spinner Imran Tahir and pace bowler Anwar Ali claimed two wickets each.

PIA Academy achieved victory in the 18th over thanks to an undefeated 42 by Usman Tariq. The left-hander, who was named Man-of-the-Match, slammed five fours in his 36-ball knock.

Openers Agha Sabir (20 off 17 balls) and Khurram Manzoor (24 off 20) laid a nice foundation with a stand of 43.

AKD XI meet Mohammad Hussain CC in the second quarter-final on Tuesday.

Summarised scores:

SSGC 128 in 19.4 overs (Asif Zakir 56, Sohail Mehdi 31 not out; Imran Tahir 2-19, Anwar Ali 2-36); PIA ACADEMY 131-4 in 17.2 overs (Usman Tariq 42 not out, Khurram Manzoor 24, Agha Sabir 20; Haris Ayaz 2-35).