Ali Sheikh
PESHAWAR: PPC Qalandars outclassed PPC Sultans by nine wickets in the second semi-final of the 2nd RMI Media Cricket at Arbab Niaz Stadium on Thursday. They will face PPC Markhor in the final on Sunday.
Qalandars tagged as title favourites from the start of the tournament proved too good for Sultans as they chased a healthy target of 117 runs in just 9 overs. Opener Zia ul Islam scored 69* on just 30 balls hitting seven sixes to steer the Qalandars to final. After losing hard-hitting opener Mehmood early in the innings Zia along with Aftab played havoc with Sultans bowlers and played shots all over the ground. Aftab also remained unbeaten on 19 runs. Thus Qalandars winning the match by 9 wickets.
Earlier, after winning the toss Sultans opted to bat first. Openers Kamran and Adnan gave a good start by scoring 28 runs in the first three overs before Adnan was bowled by Qalandars’ skipper Adil Pervez on the last ball of the third over. Adnan made 10 runs. Kamran kept on playing his natural game as Sultans reached 50 runs in 5 overs.
At a time when Sultans were looking to score huge total Qlandars Asmat Shah took two quick wickets in one over as Sultans from 60 for 1 wicket were 64 for 3 in sixth over. Asmat bowled both Kamran (39) and Sajmal (3). Kamran hit one six and six fours. Wajid (31*) was superb in his batting and his onslaught in the final overs helped Sultans post a fighting total of 113 runs in allotted 10 overs for the loss of five wickets.
Asmat Shah was the pick of the bowlers. He took 3 wickets for just 14 runs in three overs. Adil took two wickets.
Zia ul Islam was named Man of the Match for his brilliant batting. Commandant FC Liaqat Ali was the chief guest on the occasion while former squash world champion Qamar Zaman was also present. Imran Yousafzai acted as scorer while Sana Ullah and Usman officiated the match.
The tournament’s final will be played on Sunday between PPC Qalandars and PPC Markhor. The tournament is organized by Peshawar Press Club and is sponsored by Rehman Medical Institute (RMI), Top Up mineral water, Traffic Warden Police and Sports Directorate Khyber Pakhtunkhwa.
