LAHORE, Oct 14: Sialkot Stallions’ five-year reign as National Twenty20 champions came to an abrupt end on Thursday when Rawalpindi Rams stunned them by 13 runs to qualify for the semi-finals at the Gaddafi Stadium here.

On a day of upsets, Shoaib Akhtar-inspired Islamabad Leopards defeated last season’s runners-up Faisalabad Wolves by nine wickets to reach the last-four stage of the competition.

The Rams made mockery of Stallions skipper Shoaib Malik’s decision to field first with Naved Malik (41 off 18 balls, five fours and two sixes) and Awais Zia (47 off 22 balls, six fours and three sixes) putting on 88 for the first wicket in only 6.2 overs.

Naveed Qureshi (34 off 23 balls, three fours and one six) and all-round Hammad Azam (37 off 25 balls, four fours and one six) also made important contributions as the Rams reached a competitive total of 197-8. Adeel Malik claimed three for 25 with his leg-spinners while ex-international Rana Naved-ul-Hasan took 2-25.

Imran Nazir then provided the Stallions with a rollicking start as the ex-Pakistan opener bludgeoned five sixes and three fours in a quickfire 45 off just 15 balls as he and Tahir Mughal added 72 in 5.2 overs before Hammad had him caught.

Tahir, who hit 46 off 31 balls (seven fours and one six), before Hammad trapped him in front. Shoaib (32 off 26 balls, two sixes and two fours) and Haris Sohail (33 off 25 balls, four boundaries) tried in vain to keep the Stallions in the game, but when slow left-armer Yasim Murtaza dismissed both of them, the Rams were left celebrating a famous win with Man-of-the-Match Hammad taking two further wickets to finish with 4-50. The Wolves, meanwhile, found a rampant Shoaib Akhtar too hot to handle after deciding to bat first. The veteran fast bowler removed Asif Hussain and Ali Waqas with the opening two deliveries of the Group ‘C’ match before dismissing Mohammad Hafeez with the last ball to leave Wolves tottering at 3-3.

Newly-appointed Pakistan Test captain Misbah-ul-Haq (47 off 32 balls, four fours and two sixes) and Khurram Shahzad (33 off 37 balls, five fours) shared a stand of 83 in 11 overs before both went at the same total. The Wolves eventually got 141-8 with Man-of-the-Match Shoaib taking 4-20.

Raheel Majeed and Umair Khan made light work of the 142-run chase in a fine opening partnership of 97 inside 11 overs until Hafeez held a return catch to dismiss Umair (35 off 27 balls, three sixes and two fours). Raheel, who adorned his unbeaten 69 off 58 balls with nine fours and one six, ensured the Leopards won convincingly.

Earlier on Wednesday night, Lahore Lions booked their spot in the semi-finals by scoring a clinical nine-wicket win over Multan Tigers with Pakistan stars Abdul Razzaq and Umar Akmal at the forefront of their team’s success.

Razzaq, named Man-of-the-Match, produced a fiery new-ball burst by send back openers Babar Ali and Imranullah Aslam with the first two balls of the game. The Tigers never really recovered after that as they limped to 92-8 with Razzaq finishing with 3-12 in four overs.

Only Rameez Alam (42 not out off 61 balls, four fours) and Rizwan Haider, who made 22 while adding 42 with Rameez managed to stay for a while. Lanky pacers Shabbir Ahmed and Waqas Ahmed took two wickets each.

Umar Akmal then struck 68 off 57 balls with 11 boundaries to guide the Lions home with 34 deliveries to spare.

At the time of filing this report, Karachi Dolphins were playing Lahore Eagles to decide the qualifiers for the remaining semi-final place.

Summarised scores:

Islamabad Leopards beat Faisalabad Wolves by nine wickets. FAISALABAD WOLVES 141-8 in 20 overs (Misbah-ul-Haq 47, Khurram Shahzad 33, Naved Latif 23; Shoaib Akhtar 4-20, Kamran Hussain 2-38); ISLAMABAD LEOPARDS 142-1 in 17.2 overs (Raheel Majeed 69 not out, Umair Khan 35).

Rawalpindi Rams beat Sialkot Stallions by 13 runs.

RAWALPINDI RAMS 197-8 in 20 overs (Awais Zia 47, Naved Malik 41, Hammad Azam 37, Naveed Qureshi 34; Adeel Malik 3-25, Rana Naved-ul-Hasan 2-25); SIALKOT STALLIONS 184-7 in 20 overs (Tahir Mughal 46, Imran Nazir 45, Haris Sohail 33, Shoaib Malik 32; Hammad Azam 4-50). Lahore Lions beat Multan Tigers by nine wickets.

MULTAN TIGERS 92-8 in 20 overs (Rameez Alam 42 not out, Rizwan Haider 22; Abdul Razzaq 3-12, Shabbir Ahmed 2-21, Waqas Ahmed 2-30); LAHORE LIONS 94-1 in 14.2 overs (Umar Akmal 68 not out).