United snatches victory from Eagles to enter semis of RMI MCL

Ishaq Khan

PESHAWAR: PPC United qualify for the semifinal of 3rd RMI Media Cricket League after beating PPC Eagles by one run in the quarterfinal, on Monday at Arbab Niaz Cricket Stadium.

After winning the toss PPC Eagles, Capitan Irfan Khan, decided to field first and invited the in-form PPC United team to bat. Shah Faisal and Muhammad Ali Sheikh opened the innings for United but the hard hitting Shah Faisal, who was renowned for his long hits, was out cheaply on the third ball of the match.

In the next over Kamran Khan, the other star batsman of the tournament was also back to the pavilion without putting pressure on the bowler, he scored only 11 runs.

PPC bowlers maintain the good line and length in the opening overs of the match and put pressure on the favorite team of the MCL.

After losing two in form and quick batsman, Shahid Afridi came on the crease and hit beautiful shots and put the pressure back on the Eagles. He scored 20 balls 40 runs with four towering sixes and two fours.

United scored 114 runs in 10 overs.  Muhammad Ali Sheikh 28 and skipper Bilal Afridi 21 runs were other notable batsmen.

In reply, PPC Eagles put a good fight and scored shots all around the ground but the united kept their nerves and restrict the opponent to 113 for the loss of seven wickets in the required 10 overs.

In the last over, Eagles needed 5 runs but Qari Zia-ul-Islam bowled brilliantly and didn’t allow the batsman to score freely. On the last ball, Eagles required two runs and the batsman Shabir Jan hit an uppish shot, which was brilliantly caught by the Ishaq Khan on the short fine leg position and securing the semifinal sport for his team. Ishaq for his brilliant fielding display was declared Man of the Match.

For Eagles Asghar Khan scored 29 runs, Irfan 17, Fayaz 18 runs for Eagles. Qari Zia-ul-Islam took three wickets and Shahid Afridi two wickets and they were the pick of the bowlers.