KARACHI: Paceman Adeel Malik continued his impressive form in the Patron’s Trophy (Grade-II) cricket tournament on Sunday with a seven-wicket haul that put Karachi Port Trust (KPT) on threshold of the final after Sui Southern Gas Company (SSGC) suffered an inexplicable batting collapse.

After bowling out KPT, who were 97-6 at start of the second’s play in the semi-final at the Mirpur Cricket Stadium in Mirpur (Azad Jammu Kashmir), for 119 to earn a handy 32-run lead, SSGC had no answer against Adeel as they capitulated for a measly 80 on day two of the three-day fixture.

SSGC, in fact, lost their last five second-innings wickets for mere 28 runs with just opener Israrullah (13), Usman Tariq (13), Mansoor Amjad (11) and Nasir Malik (11) reaching double figures.

Adeel, who took one for 58 in the first innings, finished with seven for 34 in 15 overs. All-rounder Nadeem Javed followed up his 5-27 on Saturday with three for 26.

Chasing 113, KPT scored 39-1 before stumps with Shah Ali Zafar batting on 26.

Meanwhile, just 11 overs were possible in the other semi-final at the LCCA Ground in Lahore where Capital Development Authority (CDA) moved from the overnight 56-1 to 96-4 in response to Sayid Paper Mills (SPM)’s tally of 271 in the first innings.

Inclement weather in the Punjab metropolis could see Monday’s last day also being badly affected.

Close of play scores on Sunday (day two of three):

At Mirpur Cricket Stadium, Mirpur: SSGC 151 in 52.4 overs (Asif Zakir 52, Saifullah Khan Bangash 25, Mohammad Irfan 24 not out, Awais Zia; Nadeem Javed 5-27, Kashif Mahmood 3-17) and 80 in 29 overs (Adeel Malik 7-34, Nadeem Javed 3-26); KPT 119 in 36.4 overs (Mohammad Hasan 34, Ahmed Iqbal 20; Nasir Malik 5-41, Rajesh Ramesh 4-46) and 39-1 in 5.1 overs.

At LCCA Ground, Lahore: SAYID PAPER MILLS 271 in 69.1 overs (Babar Naeem 51, Adnan Mahmood 49, Tahir Mughal 39, Maqbool Ahmed 35, Rehan Afridi 30, Umar Siddique 26; Azam Khan 3-78, Yasir Ashfaq 2-50, Mohammad Irfan 2-59); CDA 96-4 in 27 overs (Fahim Raja 32 not out, Naved Malik 27; Aamir Yamin 3-46).

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