KARACHI: Discarded Pakistan limited-overs opener Rameez Raja stole the limelight with a swashbuckling knock which helped reigning champions Omar CC storm into the semi-finals of the 2nd Peace Cup T20 Night Cricket Tournament on Wednesday.

The right-hander bludgeoned an undefeated 76 off only 54 balls against Royal CC with the aid of seven boundaries and four huge sixes, including a monstrous hit against off-spinner Taha Mamsa over long-off to end the match as Omar CC won with no less than 28 balls to spare.

Batting first in the last quarter-final, Royal CC were never able to post a challenging total for Omar CC to chase and crumbled against the slow left-armer Fawad Khan to be all out for 100 in 19.5 overs.

Only veteran Tariq Haroon managed to score freely as the bearded right-handed all-rounder made 44 off 33 balls with three sixes and one four. Left-handed Ali Sarfraz contributed a 43-ball 32 with one six and one four.

Fawad finished with superb figures of four for 17.

Commissioner Karachi, Shoaib Ahmed Siddiqui, who graced the occasion as the chief guest presented the man-of-the-match award to Rameez for his brilliant batting although Fawad also was a serious contender.

The ceremony was also attended by Arif Habib, chairman of Arif Habib Group, along with Mohammad Iqbal Director sports Naya Nazimabad, Samad A. Habib, president of Pakistan Billiards and Snooker Association Alamgir Sheikh and tournament director Riazuddin.

Summarised scores:

ROYAL CC 100 in 19.5 overs (Tariq Haroon 44, Ali Sarfraz 32; Fawad Khan 4-17); OMAR CC 105-2 in 15.2 overs (Rameez Raja 76 not out).

Friday’s fixture: Omar CC vs Alamgir Gymkhana (first semi-final).

Published in Dawn, July 25th , 2014