KARACHI, April 24: Karachi Electric Supply Company (KESC), inspired by brilliant centuries from Bismillah Khan, Mohammad Waqas and Akbar-ur-Rehman, powered their way to a mammoth 457-5 against Omar Associates on the opening day of their semi-final clash at the Pindi Cricket Stadium in Rawalpindi on Wednesday.

After being put into bat by Omar Associates skipper Mansoor Amjad, the KESC batsmen took advantage of a good batting track by piling up the runs at will in the stipulated 83-over first innings.

Despite losing opener Ahsan Ali early on for nine, Bismillah and the left-handed plundered 245 runs in their second-wicket partnership in just 246 minutes.

Wicket-keeper/batsman Bismillah was bowled by occasional off-spinner Naved Khan after striking 16 boundaries and one six in his 190-ball knock of 128 in 258 minutes. Waqas, who fell leg-before-wicket to off-spinner Haris Ayaz, slammed 119 off 173 balls with the aid of 13 fours in a stay of 262 minutes.

There was no respite for the hapless Omar Associates bowlers as the in-form Akbar and young Saad Ali bludgeoned 153 runs in only 67 minutes for the fourth wicket.

Akbar, who had been in outstanding form throughout the season and played a pivotal part in Karachi Blues’ title-winning Quaid-i-Azam Trophy campaign, hit 111 — the 29-year-old’s third hundred in the event — from mere 73 deliveries in 84 minutes with the help of 16 fours and one six before he holing out to Rizwan Akbar at long-on off Naved.

Saad was dismissed for 58 (48 balls, seven boundaries), stumped off Naved who finished with three for 31 in five overs.

But the in-form paceman Rizwan Akbar had just one wicket for 105 runs in 21 overs, while leg-spinner Mansoor Amjad conceded 96 runs from 14 wicketless overs.

Openers Hafiz Majid Jahangir (9) and Mohammad Waqas (5) then survived five overs during which Omar Associates made 20.

KESC finished runners-up in last season’s drawn final in Faisalabad when Port Qasim Authority, declared champions on first-innings lead, qualified to compete at the first-class level.

Pakistan Television (PTV), meanwhile, dominated the first day of the other semi-final when they shot out Sayid Paper Mills for a paltry first-innings total of 116 in 34 overs at the Mirpur Cricket Stadium in Mirpur (Azad Jammu Kashmir).

Mohammad Abbas, a 23-year-old right-arm paceman from Sialkot, was their star performer with figures of seven for 51 after PTV captain Imad Wasim decided to field first after winning the toss.

PTV had already taken the lead by posting 193-5 in 44 overs of their reply. Waqas Ahmed (51 off 63 balls, 10 boundaries), Raheel Majeed (40 off 45 balls, six fours) and Rizwan Ahmed (39 off 46, seven fours) also played useful knocks. Imad Wasim was still at the crease with 33 from 48 balls.

Close of play scores on Wednesday (day one of three): Semi-finals: At Pindi Cricket Stadium, Rawalpindi: KARACHI ELECTRIC SUPPLY COMPANY 457-5 in 83 overs (Bismillah Khan 128, Mohammad Waqas 119, Akbar-ur-Rehman 111, Saad Ali 58; Naved Khan 3-31); OMAR ASSOCIATES 20-0 in 5 overs.

At Mirpur Cricket Stadium, Mirpur (Azad Jammu Kashmir): SAYID PAPER MILLS 116 in 34 overs (Salman Ali 25, Imran Butt 22, Jahandad Khan 20; Mohammad Abbas 7-51, Nasrullah Khan 2-35); PAKISTAN TELEVISION 193-5 in 44 overs (Waqas Ahmed 51, Raheel Majeed 40, Rizwan Ahmed 39, Imad Wasim 33 not out; Fahim Ashraf 2-42, Naseer Akram 2-74).