KARACHI: A good all-round performance from Saad Nasim and fine bowling by Adnan Kaleem guided IMI Omar Associates to a 24-run victory against Soni Associates in their quarter-final of the 27th Aga Khan Gymkhana Ramazan Festival T20 tournament.

IMI Omar Associates, batting first after the winning the toss at the AKG Ground, posted a competitive 166-8 with Saad hitting 43 off 32 balls with three fours and two sixes. Former Under-19 batsman Ahsan Ali scored 38 (off 23 balls, four fours and one six) and Asif Raza 28 (25 balls, two fours) and M. Waqas 24 (16 balls, two fours and a six).

Slow left-armer Farhan Khan took 3-21 and leg-spinner Tahir Naqqash 2-27.

Soni Associates, in reply, were all out for 142 in 20 overs despite Adeel Khan scoring 47 off 29 balls with five fours and four sixes after Ahmed Hussain hit 24 (off 20 balls, three fours and a six).

Slow left-armer Adnan Kaleem grabbed four wickets for only 18 runs, while Saad took 2-25. Both were named joint recipients of the man-of-the-match award.

Summarised scores:

IMI OMAR ASSOCIATES 166-8 in 20 overs (Saad Nasim 43, Ahsan Ali 38, Asif Raza 28, Mohammad Waqas 24; Farhan Khan 3-21, Tahir Naqqash 2-27); SONI ASSOCIATES 142 in 20 overs (Adeel Khan 47, Ahmed Hussain 24, Babar Malik 21; Adnan Kaleem 4-18, Saad Nasim 2-25).

Wednesday’s fixture: IMI Omar Associates vs Royal CC (second semi-final). —Sports Reporter

Published in Dawn, July 22nd, 2014