ISLAMABAD, Nov 1: Islamabad Royals and Karachi Kings played a thrilling tie match on the last day of the league-match stage in the inaugural National Veterans Cricket Championship on Saturday.

The two teams have already qualified for the final, to be played at the Islamabad Club cricket ground, F-9 Park, on Sunday.

Electing to bat first, Karachi Kings made 183 for seven. Islamabad Royals also finished at 183 but for the loss four wickets in the nerve- tingling encounter at the Marghzar cricket ground.

Former Test star Tauseef Ahmed top-scored for Rawalpindi with 43 not spiced with five sixes and a four. Tariq Alam made 29 off 22 balls with a six and three fours while Mehmood Rashid got 24 off 22 with three fours.

Lt Gen Sabahat and Ashiq Qureshi captured two wickets each for 29 and 18 runs respectively.

The Islamabad Royals needed three runs for victory on the very last ball but Ali Zia could only manage two runs as pulsating match ended as a tie.

The main scorer for Islamabad was Pervaiz Akhter (43 off 38) with six fours and Sardar Mehmood contributed 40 off 19 while Saadat Ali hit 39 off 30.

Former Test spinner Ijaz Faqih claimed one wicket for 31. Also among the wicket takers were Karachi skipper Fawad Ijaz Khan (1-33) and Tauseef Ahmed (1-33).

In the other match of the day, Lahore Leopards beat Rawalpindi Askari by eight wickets at the Army Cricket Ground.

Batting first, Rawalpindi Askari posted 111 for five.

In reply, Lahore Leopards reached the target in 13 overs for the loss of just two wickets.—APP