KARACHI: Ex-international Mukhtar Ahmed produced a stunning display of power-hitting as Advance Telecom tamed high-flying Dollar East to make the final of the 32nd Karachi Gymkhana Omar Associates Ramazan Cricket Festival here on Thursday.

Chasing a challenging target in the first semi-final at the KG Ground, Advance Telecom won by six wickets with two overs to spare after opener Mukhtar had plundered 84 off just 40 balls.

The right-hander Mukhtar was punishing mood as he struck eight boundaries and six sixes while dominating a second-wicket partnership of 90 with Mohammad Waqas (run-a-ball 25, one four) as Advance Telecom reached 179-4 in 18 overs.

Rameez Aziz provided the final flourishes by striking three sixes and two fours in an unbeaten 36 from 21 deliveries.

Earlier, Awais Zia (56 off 31 balls, five sixes and three fours) and Bilal Shah (52 off 30, four sixes and four fours) shared a first-wicket partnership of 108 after Dollar East chose to bat first.

But after both went, Dollar East could only finish at 177-5.

Summarised scores:

DOLLAR EAST 177-5 in 20 overs (Awais Zia 56, Bilal Shah 52, Mir Afzal Baig 26; Samiullah 2-19, Khurshid Afridi 2-29); ADVANCE TELECOM 179-4 in 18 overs (Mukhtar Ahmed 84, Rameez Aziz 36 not out, Mohammad Waqas 25, Sahibzada Farhan 23; Kashif Bhatti 2-28).

Published in Dawn, June 23rd, 2017