ISLAMABAD, Oct 31: Islamabad Royals and Karachi Kings marched into the final of first-ever National Veterans Twenty20 Cricket Championship by chalking up impressive victories over their respective on Friday.

Islamabad Royals swept aside Rawalpindi Askari by 80 runs at KRL Cricket Stadium while Karachi Kings outgunned Lahore Leopards by 57 runs at Marghzar Ground.

Islamabad Royals aggregated 227 for four wickets after winning the toss and electing to bat with Pervaiz Akhter making 74 off 41 balls with three 6s and nine 4s. In reply, Rawalpindi Askari were restricted to 147 for six wickets.

For Rawalpindi Askari, Lt. Gen. Najmi claimed two wickets for 45 runs.

In their turn, captain of Rawalpindi Askari, Lt. Gen. Absar Hussain led from the front with his fine knock of 51 off 38 balls, hitting eight boundaries. He was well supported by Masood Anwar (46 off 44 balls) and Tariq (25 runs off 23 balls). Former Pakistan leg spinner Ali Zia captured three wickets for 10 runs.

In the other game, Karachi Kings scored 230 for the loss of four wickets after Lahore Leopard won the toss and elected to field. Former Test all-rounder Ijaz Faqih remained the top-scorer with 76 not out off 27 balls, studded with seven 6s and five 4s.

Akram Khan was the next best batsman with a knock of 53 off 41 ball. Karachi skipper Fawad Ijaz Khan also made unbeaten 25 off 12 deliveries. Lahore Leopard could manage just 173-6 in their reply. Azhar Burki hammered 56 off 29 balls with three 6s and six 4s while Mian Munir remained unbeaten on 45 in 26 balls, hitting four 6s and three 4s. Haji Ashraf bagged 3-27. Ijaz Faqih earned the man-of-the-match.—Agencies