LAHORE, Jan 26: The group "B" leaders Hyderabad Hawks will meet the pool "A" runners-up Lahore Lions in the second semi-finals of the One-day Cup cricket at the Qadhafi Stadium on Thursday.

Hawks reached the semi-finals after winning all their four league matches and emerged as group leaders. Lions made the last four stage winning the crucial final league encounter against favourites Faisalabad Wolves.

On paper, Lions seem to be a stronger side after inclusion of Imran Farhat, his brother Humayun (also leading the team), in form all-rounder Jehangir Mirza, pace man Wasim Khan and Imran Tahir and having added advantage of playing in front of their own crowd and home ground.

Hawks' strength lies in batsmen skipper Faisal Athar, Shahid Qambrani, Hanifur Rehman and all-rounder Rizwan Ahmad. The bowling although not very hostile will be in the capable hands of Mazhar Ali, Sufyan Ali and Shoaib Leghari.

The winners will meet Sialkot Stallions in the final to be played at the same venue on Jan 29. Saleem Badar and Z.I Pasha are two umpires while Iftikhar Malik is TV umpire. Abdul Sami Khan is the Match Referee. The 45-over-a-side semi-final will start at 9.30am and will be telecast live by PTV.

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