KARACHI, June 1: Khyber Greens Fata qualified for the final of the second Pakistan Champions League cricket tournament after they easily beat local favourites Pak Korangi Cricket Club by 37 runs in the second semi-final at the RLCA Ground in Korangi here on Thursday night.
The Khyber Greens players, mostly from Afridi tribe in the Fata region, maintained their aggressive touch in the event to set up a dream final against Al-Noor Gymkhana at the same venue on Saturday night.
Saeed Afridi continued his consistent run with the bat as he blasted four boundaries and two sixes in his 45-ball innings of 48, while Asif Khan Afridi smashed three sixes and a brace of fours in a 19-ball cameo of 37. Sami Afridi hit a belligerent nine-ball 28 that included three sixes and two fours.
Khyber Greens eventually reached 158-5 in their 20 overs. Spinner Tariq bowled well in pressure situation to finish with two wickets for 33 runs.
Pak Korangi CC, in reply, could manage just 118-9 in their 20 overs. Ashraf Ali emerged as the top-scorer with 24 in 22 balls and international Awais Zia contributed 20 in 15 deliveries.
Sami Afridi (2-4), Taimur Afridi (2-25) and Aslam Afridi (2-26) shared six wickets between them.
Speaking at the semi-final presentation ceremony Patron-in-chief of the Champions League, Senator Mustafa Kamal said holding of the event has strengthen the base of cricket in Karachi and provided a perfect platform to the players.
He said next year more international teams will be invited in this competition.
Summarised scores:
KHYBER GREENS 158-5 in 20 overs (Saeed Khan Afridi 48, Asif Afridi 37, Sami Afridi 28; Tariq Murad 2-33); PAK KORANGI CC 118-9 in 20 overs (Ashraf Ali 22, Awais Zia 20; Sami Afridi 2-4, Taimur Afridi 2-25, Aslam Afridi 2-26).—APP