Multan, Hyderabad storm into semis

KARACHI: Multan and Hyderabad blasted their way into the semi-finals from their respective groups when they recorded much-needed wins in the fifth and final round of the league stage of Quaid-e-Azam Trophy Grade-II at different venues of the country on Saturday.

Meanwhile, Faisalabad emerged as group champions when they defeated Abbottabad by eight wickets while Azad Jammu and Kashmir (AJK) recorded consolation win when they defeated Sialkot by seven runs. Sialkot have already qualified for the semi-finals from Group A.

On the third and final day of their Group A outing at Multan Stadium, Multan overwhelmed Bahawalpur by nine wickets.

After conceding a 270-run lead, Bahawalpur resumed their second innings at 98-3 and were bowled out for 285 to set a 16-run target for Multan who achieved it in the fourth over for the loss of one wicket. Imranullah Aslam was the top-scorer for Bahawalpur with 65, which came off 74 balls and had ten fours. Mazhar Bashir hammered 94-ball 47 with eight fours. Sadaif Mehdi got 4-81, for 6-135 match-haul.

Bahawlpur posted 190 in their first innings. In response, Multan staged 460-8. Multan finished as Group A winners with 25 points which include three wins.

Meanwhile in Group B game at Niaz Stadium Hyderabad, Hyderabad overpowered Quetta by 218 runs to confirm the last-four berth with 18 points. Chasing a stiff 321-run target, Quetta began their second innings at 15-1 and were folded for 138 in 59 overs. Abdul Rauf top-scored with unbeaten 47, which came off 84 balls and had seven fours. Nasir Awais, the off-spinner, emerged as hero for

Hyderabad with superb innings figures of 7-43, and excellent match figures of 13-113. Hyderabad posted 220 all out and 238 all out. Quetta made 138 all out in their first innings. Quetta ended the season without any win.

In the Group B meeting here at National Stadium, Faisalabad recorded their third victory when they conquered Abbottabad by eight wickets.

After having conceded a 210 runs lead, Abbottabad resumed their second innings at 197-8 and were folded for 253 to set a 44-run target for Faisalabad who raced to it in the 12th over after losing two wickets in the process.

Left-arm spinner Ahmed Safi captured 5-55, for a match-tally of 7-65. Abbottabad piled up 103 in their first innings. Faisalabad, in reply, accumulated 313 all out. Faisalabad finished the league stage as group winners with 31 points.

In Group A encounter at Dring Stadium Bahawalpur, AJK did a fine job with a surprising seven-run victory over Sialkot.

Chasing a 208-run target, Sialkot were bowled out for 200 with Ayaz Tasawar scoring excellent 121 which came off 138 balls and had ten fours. Salman Irshad got four, while Mohammad Aamir and Naved Malik picked two wickets each.

Earlier, after having got a 69 runs lead, AJK resumed their second innings at 101-5 and perished for 138. Adil Reza and spinner Mansoor Amjad got four wickets each. Mansoor took eight wickets in the match. AJK posted 287 in their first innings. In response, Sialkot made 218.