KARACHI: Omar CC, inspired by a Rameez Raja half century, brushed aside Vital Five CC to qualify for the semi-finals of the 29th Karachi Gymkhana Omar Associates Ramazan Cricket Festival at the KG Ground here on Monday.

Batting first after skipper Adnan Kaleem won the toss in the opening first quarter-final, Omar CC collected 158-9 in their stipulated 20 overs with opener Rameez contributing a rapid 65 from 35 deliveries. His man-of-the-match effort was laced with eight boundaries and a brace of sixes.

Mohammad Waqas (26 off 27 balls, two fours and one six) added 74 for the second wicket with Rameez.

Rameez Aziz grabbed four wickets for 43 runs with his occasional off-spinners while paceman Imran Ali took 2-29.

Vital Five CC, in reply, lost Furqan Lohari to the first ball of the innings delivered by slow left-armer Faraz Ahmed Khan. Barring Hafiz Asad Baig no one else could face the potent bowling attack of spin quartet of Faraz, Adnan, Saad Nasim and Pakistan bowler Zulfiqar Babar.

Left-arm seamer Rumman Raees Khan also claimed two wickets as Vital Five CC crumbled in 17.1 overs for 93.

Summarised scores:

OMAR CC 158-9 in 20 overs (Rameez Raja 60, Mohammad Waqas 26; Rameez Aziz 4-43, Imran Ali 2-29); VITAL FIVE CC 93 in 17.1 overs (Hafiz Asad Baig 53; Rumman Raees Khan 2-12, Zulfiqar Babar 2-16, Saad Nasim 2-19, Faraz Ahmed Khan 2-21, Adnan Kaleem 2-24).

Tuesday’s fixture: Brothers CC vs K-Electric (second quarter-final).

Published in Dawn, July 22nd, 2014