ISLAMABAD, Feb 19: Zohaib Ahmed’s half century helped Diamond Club check into the semifinals of the Islamabad-Rawalpindi Inter-city Super cricket tournament with a 62-run win over Bajwa Club.

Also advancing to the pre-finals were Victory Club who outplayed XI Star by 52 runs at the Diamond Ground.

Playing at the Rawalpindi Stadium, Diamond were rescued by Zohaib’s 76-ball knock as he put on 63 runs for the sixth wicket with Ashar Zaidi (37) helping the side post 208 in 47.1 overs. Amir Khan also did well in scoring 49.

Left arm slow bowler Asif Bajwa captured three wickets for 31 runs while Haseeb Amjad and Malik Hasnat took two apiece.

Bajawa Club crashed to 146 in reply, three of their batsmen being run out because of some good fielding by the Diamond players. Asif Mumtaz was the leading scorer with 42.

Zohaib, Rauf Akbar, Safdar Niazi, Ashar Zaidi, Sajid Ali and Muhammad Nadeem picked up a wicket each.

In the other match, Victory scored 193 in 41 overs, Yasir Ashfaq topscoring with 49. Left arm spinner Asim Aqeel Rana claimed three for 32 and Riaz Ahmed took two for 51.

Later XI Star were bundled out for 151 in 42.1 overs, Danish Hanif striking 30 runs.

The last pool match between Kent and Punjab Clubs is to be played on Monday with the winner going through to the last four stage.

Glu Club were the first to make the semifinals by winning all three of their matches.