ZTBL, Ghani Glass in PT final

KARACHI: Zarai Taraqiati Bank Limited (ZTBL) and Ghani Glass blasted their way into the final of Patron’s Trophy on the basis of first innings lead when their semi-finals against their respective rivals ended in draw on Thursday.

In the first semi-final, at the Diamond Club Ground, Islamabad, after securing 35 runs lead ZTBL were bowled out for 192 in their second innings, which set 228 runs target for State Bank of Pakistan (SBP) who reached 112-6 in 18 overs by the end of the match.

Hamza Nadeem scored unbeaten 51 with five fours and two sixes. Left-arm pacer Taj Wali was the pick of the bowlers with 5-45, finishing with seven wickets in the match.ZTBL posted 218 in their first innings. In response, SBP were bundled out for 183.

Ghani Glass became the other finalists thanks to their 17 runs lead over Karachi Port Trust (KPT) in the other semi-final.Ghani Glass had reached 219-4 in their second innings by the end of the match. Tayyab Tahir smashed 62 off 86 balls, which had eight fours and one six. Hasnain Bukhari contributed 38-ball 41 not out with four fours and three sixes. Khalid Mehmood got 2-56.

Ghani Glass posted 241 in their first innings. In response, KPT were all out 224.The four-day final will be held at the Pindi Stadium, Rawalpindi, from April 21-24. Nadeem Iqbal and Raweed Khan will supervise the match. Ali Naqvi will be the referee and Shakeel Ahmed the scorer.

The winners will get richer by Rs500,000 and the runners-up by Rs250,000. The man of the final, the best batsman, the best bowler and the outstanding cricketer of the event will receive Rs50,000 each.