KARACHI: A brilliant team effort, inspired by Khushdil Shah, led K-Electric into the final of the sixth Cola Next presents Jazz Corporate Cup with a clinical 50-run drubbing of star-studded Sui Northern Gas Pipelines Limited (SNGPL) here on Thursday night.

After opting to bat first in the second semi-final at the DHA Sports Club Moin Khan Academy, K-Electric recovered superbly from 75-5 to collect 146-6 largely because of young Khushdil who bludgeoned five sixes and four sixes in an undefeated 64 from only 30 deliveries.

Khushdil, who was later declared man-of-the-match and received his award from ex-Pakistan off-spinner and current national selector Tauseef Ahmed, easily outscored Mohammad Asad (15) during their vital sixth-wicket partnership of 71.

Opener Sahibzada Farhan (27 off 32 balls, two sixes and one six) and Rameez Aziz (33 off 42, two fours and one six) also batted well, while left-arm spinner Haider Ali and all-rounder Iftikhar Ahmed claimed two wickets each.

SNGPL, in reply, disappointed as they were bowled for 96 in 18 overs. Test batsman Asad Shafiq fell to promising left-arm spinner Hassaan Khan for six upfront to set the tone.

SNGPL employed strange tactics as the in-form Iftikhar was demoted to No 6, a decision that was mind-boggling. Barring Hussain Talat, who hoisted three sixes in a 23-ball knock of 29 SNGPL were always at the receiving end.

Off-spinner Ashiq Ali bowled a brilliant four-over spell during which claimed two wickets for just seven runs. Hassaan finished with 3-22 in four overs, while Rameez took 3-30 in three overs of occasional off-spinners.
At the time of filing this report, K-Electric were playing Sui Southern Gas Company (SSGC) in the titled-deciding fixture late on Friday night.

Summarised scores:

K-ELECTRIC 146-6 in 20 overs (Khushdil Shah 64 not out, Rameez Aziz 33, Sahibzada Farhan 27; Haider Ali 2-15, Iftikhar Ahmed 2-23); SNGPL 96 in 18 overs (Hussain Talat 29; Hassaan Khan 3-22, Rameez Aziz 3-30, Ashiq Ali 2-7).

Published in Dawn, June 24th, 2017