KARACHI: Inspired by a blazing knock from Pakistan discard Umar Akmal, Omar CC booked their 33rd Karachi Gymkhana Ramazan Cricket Festival for the Omar Associates Trophy semi-final spot with a nail-biting win by one run against New Al-Habib CC here on Saturday.

In arguably the most exciting match of the tournament at the Karachi Gymkhana Ground, Omar CC defended their total of 216-5 in the third quarter-final by bowling out New Al-Habib CC on the penultimate delivery of the game for 215.

Batting first after Saad Nasim had won the toss Omar CC’s innings was dominated by Umar who struck a belligerent 75 from only 42 deliveries with the help of seven fours and four sixes.

Opener Umar, who was voted man-of-the-match, and Rameez Raja shared a second-wicket partnership of 74 with the latter hoisting three sixes and hitting two fours in scoring a 24-ball 39.

Usman Khan later banged three sixes and as many fours in a breathtaking 13-ball cameo of 36 as he put on 50 for the fifth wicket with Danish Aziz, who scored an unbeaten 27 off 21 balls with one six and one four.

New Al-Habib CC’s chief run-getters were opener Bismillah Khan (48 off 20 balls with five fours and three sixes), Saim Ayub (42 off 29, for fours and two sixes) and veteran Tariq Haroon, who hammered five sixes and one four in an electrifying 26-ball knock of 49, while Yasir Ali hit two fours and one six in making an unbeaten 23 off 15 balls.

Slow left-armer Mohammad Asghar grabbed four wickets for 40 runs with fellow left-armers Faraz Ahmed khan (2-46) and Lal Kumar (2-22) lending good support.

Summarised scores:

OMAR CC 216-5 in 20 overs (Umar Akmal 75, Rameez Raja 39, Usman Khan 36, Ahsan Ali 33, Danish Aziz 27 not out; Haris Ayaz 2-39); NEW AL-HABIB CC 215 in 19.5 overs (Tariq Haroon 49, Bismillah Khan 48, Saim Ayub 42, Yasir Ali 23 not out; Mohammad Asghar 4-40, Lal Kumar 2-22, Faraz Ahmed Khan 2-46).

Sunday’s fixture: Fourth quarter-final — Sparco Paints vs Agha Steel (2:30pm PST).

Published in Dawn, June 10th, 2018