KARACHI, May 31: Opener Ijaz Ali Shah smashed a hurricane half century to power Al-Noor Gymkhana in the final of Pakistan Champions League Cricket Tournament when they routed Faisalabad Cricket Club by nine wickets in the first semi-final under lights at RLCA Ground, Korangi here on Thursday.

Ijaz finished with an unbeaten 81, a 51-ball knock studded with five fours and as many as seven sixes in front of jam-packed crowd as Al-Noor Gymkhana overhauled Faisalabad CC’s modest total of 110 in the 13th over for the loss of one wicket. Ijaz finished the match in style by lifting Mohammad Laeeq over the midwicket fence for a six.

Earlier, discarded Pakistan fast bowler Wahab Riaz finished with excellent figures of three wickets for 17 runs in four overs.

Meanwhile, Pak Korangi CC edged past Dawood Sports in a Super-over finish to reach the semi-finals. The last of the quarter-finals ended with the scores tied with both teams making 129.

Ashraf Ali then steered his side to victory by striking three sixes off veteran left-arm spinner Fareeduddin in the Super Over with Pal Korangi CC needing 14 runs.

Dawood Sports were actually heading for victory as they required just five runs in the final over with two wickets in hand. But former Pakistan junior international Atif Ali Zaidi was out for 50. With one needed on the last ball, Rajesh Ramesh was run out. Earlier, Pak Korangi CC were restricted to 129-7. Shiraz Ali took two for 16.

The match, however, was marred by controversial run- out of Awais Zia when former Test umpire Riazuddin adjudged him out after the batsman had crossed his partner Mubashir Ahmed. Riazuddin was guilty of not referring the TV umpire to make the verdict.

As a consequence, the game was held up for 15 minutes as the players protested before the umpire finally referred the decision to the TV official but still refused to change his decision.

Summarised scores:

Al-Noor Gymkhana beat Faisalabad CC by nine wickets FAISALABAD CC 110 in 19.5 overs (Zeeshan Asif 28, Mohammad Laeeq 23; Wahab Riaz 3-17, Junaid Zia 2-16, Saad Nasim 2-19, Ahmed Iqbal 2-21); AL-NOOR GYMKHANA 111-1 in 12.4 overs (Ijaz Ali Shah 81 not out). Pak Korangi CC beat Dawood Sports in Super Over after match finished in a tie. PAK KORANGI CC 129-7 in 20 overs (Afsar Nawaz 22, Tariq Murad 19, Shiraz Ali 2-16); DAWOOD SPORTS 129-9 in 20 overs (Atif Ali Zaidi 50; Salman Ali 2-8, Rashid Ali 2-19).—APP