KARACHI: Veteran right-hander Nadeem Javed struck a robust half-century as Eaton CC outgunned Dubai Islamic Bank (DIB) by four wickets to seal the remaining semi-final berth in the Omar Associates Trophy 31st Karachi Gymkhana Ramazan Cricket Festival here on Friday.

In the last quarter-final fixture at the Karachi Gymkhana Ground, Eaton CC skipper Fahad Anjum won the toss and decided to field first. His decision paid off well as DIB lost openers Ahsan Ali (8) and Pakistan discard Mukhtar Ahmed (4) with just 13 on the board.

But then Mohammad Afzal played a superlative innings of 67 off 50 balls with the aid six boundaries and three sixes and together with Mohammad Waheed, who bludgeoned four fours and a brace of sixes in making 45 off only 34 balls, put on 113 for the third wicket.

But once they departed, DIB slumped to 146-9 in the stipulated 20 overs.

The spin quartet of Ali Asghar, Zahid Mansoor, Ahmed Safi and captain Fahad Anjum shared eight wickets between them.

Eaton CC’s reply got off to the worst possible start as Asif Khoso fell to the first ball of the innings. But Nadeem then arrived to restore parity with a sparkling 74 from 51 deliveries, while striking eight boundaries and four sixes.

Zahid Mansoor struck a 21-ball unbeaten 31 that included two fours and one six as Eaton CC sealed victory in 19.1 overs.

Later Nadeem was declared the man-of-the-match.

In Saturday’s first last four-four clash, Omar Colts meet Tapal CC. Eaton CC play Medicam in the other semi-final on Sunday.

Summarised scores:

DUBAI ISLAMIC BANK 146-9 in 20 overs (Mohammad Afzal 67, Mohammad Waheed 45; Zahid Mansoor 2-21, Ahmed Safi 2-25, Ali Asghar 2-27, Fahad Anjum 2-36); EATON CC 147-6 in 19.1 overs (Nadeem Javed 74, Zahid Mansoor 31 not out; Wasim Ali 3-40).

Published in Dawn, July 2nd, 2016