KARACHI: Faisal Gymkhana qualified for the semi-finals of the Rising Star Invitation Trophy cricket tournament after scoring a close 15-run victory over United Gymkhana at the Landhi Gymkhana Ground here on Wednesday.

Batting first, Faisal Gymkhana amassed 338-5 in the stipulated 40 overs with man-of-the-match Shoaib Shakeel scoring an unbeaten 82 off 50 balls, eight fours and four sixes) while Wasim Abbas (an 80-ball 81, nine fours and two sixes) and all-rounder Fayyaz Hussain (40, four boundaries) added 102 for the second wicket.

Maqsood Nazeer banged a 34-ball 60 (six fours and three sixes).

United Gymkhana put up a gallant fight before finishing at 323-9 with Ayaz Ahmed hitting up a 75-ball 95 (eight fours and four sixes) and Ameer Sultan (65, seven boundaries). Spinners Adil Brohi claimed 4-45 and Fayyaz 3-65.

Summarised scores:

Faisal Gymkhana 338-5 in 40 overs (Shoaib Shakeel 82 not out, Wasim Abbas 81, Maqsood Nazeer 60, Fayyaz Hussain 40; S.M. Asim 20); United Gymkhana 323-9 in 40 overs (Ayaz Ahmed 95, Ameer Sultan 65, Mohammad Shahzaib 49, Zohaib Junaid 34, Abdul Rehman 27, Ali Tirmizi 23; Adil Brohi 4-45, Fayyaz Hussain 3-65).

Published in Dawn, April 19th, 2019