LAHORE: A blistering knock by batter Luc Martin Benkenstein took Gwadar Sharks to the final of the Pakistan Junior League as they beat Bahawalpur Royals by eight wickets in the first qualifier here at the Gaddafi Stadium on Tuesday.

Benkestein’s 71 off 37 balls was lit up by eight fours and three sixes and helped the Sharks make light work of a below-par 140-run target by the Royals.

The right-hander added 76 runs in the match-winning second-wicket partnership with wicket-keeper Mohammad Zulkifal that paved the way for the Sharks’ chase without any major hiccups.

Zulkifal maintained his side’s supremacy in their chase by hitting four fours and six in his 51 off 44. The right-hander finished the game in the company of Danial Ibrahim (12 not out) with 10 balls to spare. The two added 46 runs in their unbroken third-wicket partnership.

Sharks will now face the winner of Thursday’s second qualifier in the tournament final a day later.

Earlier, Royals were jolted by a fiery opening spell by Mohammad Ismail, who dismissed Tayyab Arif for a first-ball duck with a brilliant out-swinger. Basit Ali (20), the linchpin of the Royals’ batting line-up, then fell attempting a big shot of Ismail.

The Sharks tightened their grip on the match with the wicket of Shawaiz Irfan (5) which left them reeling at 49-3 in 6.5 overs.

Skipper Obaid Shahid was the fourth batter to fall as he was was run out for 21 in the 11th over.

The Royals managed to reach their eventual total of 139-7 thanks to a 54-run fifth-wicket stand between Mohammad Danish and Farhan Yousaf.

In tomorrow’s Eliminator, Rawalpindi Raiders will play Mardan Warriors. The winners will take on Royals in the second qualifier for the second spot in the final.

Summarised scores:

Gwadar Sharks beat Bahawalpur Royals by eight wickets

BAHAWALPUR ROYALS 139-7 in 20 overs (Mohammad Danish 33, Farhan Yousaf 30; Mohammad Ismail 3-10, Arafat Minhas 1-19); GWADAR SHARKS 141-2 in 18.2 overs (Luc Martin Benkenstein 71, Mohammad Zulkifal 51 not out; Nathan Edward 1-18).

Published in Dawn, October 19th, 2022