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KARACHI: Lahore Eagles eased into the semi-finals of the Faysal Bank T20 Cup with an effortless nine-wicket victory over luckless Quetta Bears at the National Stadium here on Tuesday. The Eagles, who had earlier defeated Karachi Zebras and Abbottabad Falcons, remained undefeated in Group ‘A’ with six points after Imran Farhat and skipper Taufiq Umar each scored a half-century.
Imran, the dominant partner in the opening partnership of 85, carried on his good form with attractive strokes against a not-so-threatening bowling combination the Bears dished out. His 33-ball knock, that featured six fours and a six, was enough to earn him the Man-of-the-Match award.
Taufiq was more circumspect and consumed 49 deliveries in making 50 unbeaten runs with the aid of five boundaries. Azhar Ali hammered two fours and a six in a 16-ball 22.
The Eagles batted at a leisurely pace while knowing well that they only need to win the game to make the knockout round where they would be facing either Lahore Lions or Sialkot Stallions who were involved in a tense last Group ‘C’ fixture at the time of filing this report.
The Bears, choosing to bat first after Bismillah Khan won the toss, were again found wanting against stronger opposition. Their total of 125 was never going to worry a seasoned outfit like the Eagles who are actually the second-string side of Lahore. Mir Wais made 30 and Arun Lal 22 before Saeed Khan used the long handle to good effect with a breezy 13-ball cameo of 26, which contained three fours and one six.
The wickets were shared around with Junaid Zia, Mustafa Iqbal and Taufiq picking a brace each. The Eagles captain also shone on the field by running out his opposite number — Bismillah Khan — and Abid Ali.
