RIYADH, 26 April — Arshad Mahmood and Afzal Pasha guided their teams Carrier and Young Friends into the finals of the Shield and Plate groups respectively in the SHB 20 overs cricket tournament at RCA grounds.

In Shield semifinal at RCA-3 ground, Arshad Mahmood dazzled with the bat and made brilliant unbeaten 96 (6 x 4’s & 8 x 6’s) against the formidable Saudia Milk. After losing early wicket, Arshad along with prolific scorer Kashif M. Khan (60, 2 x 4’s & 3 x 6’s) guided Carrier to a respectable score of 218 for 3 in stipulated 20 overs.

Rizwan Qayyum made 35 to boost the Carrier total.

In reply, Saudia Milk could not live up to their reputation and were folded for 153 thus losing the match by 65 runs. Asif Kazmi & Muhammad Mouzzam bowled well for Carrier and took 3 wickets each conceding 39 and 24 runs respectively while Ejaz Sulaiman took 2 wickets giving away 31 runs. Arshad Mahmood was later named “Man-of-the Match” for his fine innings.

In another semifinal at RCA-2 ground, Mehran recorded 5 wickets win over Friends. Batting first, Friends started badly and lost wickets at regular interval. Saif fought a lone battle for Friends but was unlucky to miss his century by 3 runs. He played a scintillating innings of 97 (9 x 4’s & 3 x 6’s).

Chasing the target, Mehran romped home in 19.1 overs losing 5 wickets in the process and earned the right to meet Carrier in the SHB Shield finals. Saif was declared “Man-of-the-Match” for his all-round performance.

In Plate semifinals, Young Friends helped by a brilliant 101 (8 x 4’s & 3 x 6’s) by Afzal Pasha comfortably beat Fighters at RCA-7 ground. Muhammad Afaq was also amongst the runs and scored 47 for Young Friends. Earlier, batting first, Fighters scored 177 for 8 in their stipulated overs. Ali Shah bowled to a nagging line and length and grabbed 4 wickets conceding 18 runs in his 4 overs spell while Amer Ashfaq took 2 wickets giving away 24 runs for Young Friends. Afzal Pasha was adjudged “Man-of-the-Match” for his brilliant batting.

In another semifinal, Al-Eid easily whipped PIA Young by 9 wickets and will meet Young Friends in the Plate finals of SHB 20 overs tournament. Asad Butt 41, Adnan Majeed 35 n.o. and Asif Zaki 57 n.o. were amongst the runs and helped Al-Eid to achieve the target. Earlier, batting first, PIA Young were all out for 138 in their allotted overs. For Al-Eid, Umair took 3 wickets giving away 26 runs while Asad Butt and Asif Zaki took 2 wickets each conceding 21 and 28 runs, respectively. Asad Butt was Adjudged “man of the match” for his all-round performance.

Scores:

(Carrier: 218 for 3 — Kashif M. Khan 60, Arshad Mahmood 96 n.o., Rizwan Qayyum 35 beat Saudia Milk: 153 — Ejaz Sulaiman 2/31, Asif Kazmi 3/39, Muhammad Mouzzam 3/24).

(Friends C.C.: 172 — Saif 97, Asif 23 lost to Mehran: 174 for 5 — Saif 2/24).

(Fighters: 177 for 7 — Ali Shah 4/18, Amer Ashfaq 2/24 lost to Young Friends: 178 for 2 — Afzal Pasha 101, Muhammad Afaq 47).

(PIA Young: 138 — Umair 3/26, Asad Butt 2/21, Asif Zaki 2/28 lost to Al-Eid XI: 142 for 1 — Asad Butt 41, Adnan Majeed 35 n.o., Asif Zaki 57 n.o.).