KARACHI: Karachi Blues and Peshawar will meet for the second time in this year’s PCB Inter-region Under-19 One-day Cup after both won their respective semi-finals on Sunday to qualify for the title-deciding fixture.

Karachi Blues — who defeated Peshawar in their last Group ‘B’ clash at the NBP Sports Complex in Karachi on Aug 17 — comfortably defended a modest total of 165 to ease past Fata by 56 runs in the first semi-final at the Mirpur Cricket Stadium in Mirpur, Azad Jammu Kashmir, while Peshawar clinched a 28-run victory in a truncated last-four tie at the Pindi Cricket Stadium in Rawalpindi.

After being put into bat, Karachi Blues were in trouble from the onset, losing wickets frequently until last pair of No.10 Nadir Shah, who was the top-scorer with an unbeaten 29 off 53 balls, and Tariq Khan (20) put on priceless 45 runs in the highest partnership of the innings.

Seamers Mohammad Wasim (3-1 in 10 overs) and Said Nazir (3-37 in 10) shared the bowling honours for Fata, who in reply started their chase on a bright note as Junaid Ahmed (25) off 35 balls) and Mohammad Aftab Alam (33 off 60) added 51 for the first wicket.

But once the stand was broken, slow left-armers Tariq Khan and Khalid-un-Nabi sliced through the rest of the batting as the all 10 wickets fell in the space of a further 58 runs as Fata folded up for 109 on the final ball of the game.

Khalid ended up with brilliant figures of 5-20 in 10 overs, while Tariq took 3-31 in his nine overs.

The semi-final in Rawalpindi was curtailed to 38 overs per side owing to wet conditions. Riding on a first-wicket stand of 67 between Aamir Azmat (61 off 91 balls, four sixes and two fours) and captain Mohammad Mohsin Khan (31), Peshawar nullified Islamabad’s decision to bowl first by collecting 174-7 in their 38 overs.

Slow left-armer Uzair Waheed grabbed three wickets for 28 runs in eight overs with paceman Mohammad Musa taking 2-31 in eight overs.

Islamabad’s hopes receded quickly when left-arm fast bowler Izhar Ahmed sent back Azan Tariq (2) and skipper Rohail Nazir (third-ball duck) in the space to leave in tatters at 3-2 in the third over, which was a maiden.

With Islamabad tottering at 54-6 in the 17th over, Peshawar had all but wrapped up the match before a defiant partnership delayed the inevitable as Zahid Iqbal (37 off 60) and Jawwad Ahmed (44 off 61, two sixes and two fours) added 80 until Izhar, who claimed 5-20 in 6.5 overs, returned to polish off the tail.

Islamabad were eventually dismissed in the 37th overs for 146.

The final will be played in Mirpur on Tuesday.

Sunday’s results:

Semi-finals:

At Pindi Cricket Stadium, Rawalpindi: Peshawar beat Islamabad by 28 runs.

PESHAWAR 174-7 in 38 overs (Aamir Azmat 61, Mohammad Mohsin Khan 31, Awais Ali Shah 27; Uzair Waheed 3-28, Mohammad Musa 2-31); ISLAMABAD 146 in 36.5 overs (Jawwad Ahmed 44, Zahid Iqbal 37; Izhar Ahmed 5-20).

At Mirpur Cricket Stadium, Mirpur: Karachi Blues beat Fata by 56 runs.

KARACHI BLUES 165 in 49.1 overs (Nadir Shah 29 not out, Saif Ali 24, Anas Ilyas 23, Ali Nasim 21, Tariq Khan 20; Mohammad Wasim 3-31, Said Nazir 3-37); FATA 109 in 38 overs (Mohammad Aftab Alam 33, Junaid Ahmed 25; Khalid-un-Nabi 5-20, Tariq Khan 3-31).

Published in Dawn, August 27th, 2018