KARACHI, May 15: A sparkling batting display by young Khurram Manzoor guided Malir Gymkhana into the final of the KCCA Centenary Inter-club cricket tournament on Sunday. Khurram, an upcoming right-handed opening batsman, hammered 98 as Malir Gymkhana comfortably overhauled Rafiq Shirazi Memorial CC’s impressive total of 280 for five in a high-scoring second semifinal at the Landhi Gymkhana Ground.

Khurram, who struck five boundaries, added 147 for the third-wicket with Ariz Kamal.

Ariz, younger brother of Test left-hander Asim Kamal, was undefeated on 79 with five fours.

Earlier, Mohammad Salman (80 with six sixes and four fours) and Iftikhar Ahmed (five sixes and five fours) put on 158 for the unbroken sixth-wicket partnership.

Wasim Naeem hit 73 which included six fours and one six.

Malir Gymkhana’s opponents in the final are Pakistan CC who defeated Mohammad Hussain CC in the other semifinal.

Summarised scores:

RAFIQ SHIRAZI MEMORIAL CC 280-5 in 50 overs (Mohammad Salman 80 not out, Iftikhar Ahmed 78 not out, Wasim Naeem 73; Ali Qasim 2-20); MALIR GYMKHANA 283-3 in 42 overs (Khurram Manzoor 98, Ariz Kamal 79 not out, Sajid Hanif 48, Khalid Latif 23).