KARACHI: Umar Akram lit up the fourth Naya Nazimabad Karachi Kings Ramadan Cup T20 Cricket Tournament with a magnificent century as Dollar East qualified for the quarter-finals with a nail-biting four-run win over Sui Southern Gas Company (SSGC) on Wednesday night.

In arguably the best match of the event thus far, Umar bludgeoned nine sixes and as many boundaries in an unconquered knock of 109 off only 45 balls as Dollar East reached 207-4 at the Lawai Cricket Stadium.

Umar, who was unceremoniously axed from Pakistan’s Champions Trophy squad on fitness grounds, put on 100 for the second wicket with his brother-in-law Usman Qadir (31, four boundaries and one six).

SSGC lost two wickets for 58 runs upfront before Pakistan reject Sohail Khan hammered 51 from 37 balls, laced with four sixes and one four and Saifullah Khan Bangash made a 23-ball 49 with the aid of seven fours and two six.

Young Saif Badar struck 43 off 18 balls with four sixes and two fours to raise SSGC’s hopes but his dismissal saw Dollar East home with leg-spinner Usman, the youngest son of legendary Pakistan leggie Abdul Qadir, taking four wickets for 57 runs.

The match yielded a record 410 runs.

Summarised scores:

DOLLAR EAST 207-4 in 20 overs (Umar Akmal 109 not out, Usman Qadir 31, Bilal Shah 28); SSGC 203-9 in 20 overs ((Sohail Khan 51, Saifullah Khan Bangash 49, Saif Badar 43, Aamir Yamin 28; Usman Qadir 4-57, Mohammad Ilyas 2-35).

Published in Dawn, June 16th, 2017