DAMMAM: There were upsets and surprises in the semifinals of the Premier and First Division of the MoneyGram Cricket Ke Badshah Twenty20 tournaments, organized by Eastern Province Cricket Association with the support of Saudi Cricket Center (SCC), as the two fancied and tournament favorite teams were shown the door.

In Premier Division, defending champion Sikander Farooqui were shocked by Kanoo Al Dossary by seven wickets. Sikander Farooqi opted to bat first and started disastrously with two of their most consistent opening batsmen back in the pavilion by the fourth over. After this early set back, wickets fell at regular intervals and were bowled out for 136 runs. Mudassir Farooqui scored a fighting 38 runs against disciplined bowling and enthusiastic fielding by their opponents.

Despite the loss of an early wicket, Kanoo Al Dossary got to their winning target without any fuss. Middle order batsmen Akhtar (35) and Mustazar (48) played responsibly and guided their team to victory with seven wickets in hand.

Al Tuwairqi continued their dominance as they routed Gulf Steel by 7 wickets in the second semifinal. Gulf Steel took strike first and were in trouble right from the start. At one stage they were 5 for 45. Khawar Sohail ran through the top and middle order and finished with magnificent figures of 5 for 33. Qaiser batted superbly and top-scored with 82 runs. He was well supported by Basharat (33) despite losing early wickets to set up a defendable target of 195.

In reply Al Tuwairqi were off to a flying start with Khawar Sohail brisk 67 runs. Later Rizwan (41 not out) and Rajammul Hayat (36 not out) added 88 runs to achieve their target of 198 for 3 to win by 7 wickets.

Later, Rizwan made unbeaten 41 and Tajammul Hayat remained unbeaten 36 as the duo added 88 runs to achieve the 198 for 3.

In First Division semifinal, Hyderabad Green beat Bin Dilalmah ADPCO by 20 runs. Hyderabad Green put up a match winning 208 runs. Thanks to Ijaz’s brisk 109 runs. Owais played an attacking innings of 37 in just 12 balls. Mohsin took 2 for 26.

In reply Bindelamah were off to a disastrous start with the fall of early wickets. Badar Munir (34) and Tanveer (59) tried their best but the middle order caved to immaculate Hydereabadi bowlers to restrict them to 188. Owais scalped 3 for 33, Ijaz 3 for 24 and Khalid 2 for 39.

In the other semis, Harley Davidson downed KLV Khodri by 68 runs. Harley Davidson batting first piled up 197 for 9. They struggled at one stage and were reeling at 34 for 3. Thereafter, Arshad Mahmood (44) and Yasir Mahmood (47) played responsibly to give their team a winning total.

Waseem Zar scalped 3 for 25.

KLV Khodri in response collapsed for 129 and lost by 68 runs. Tayyab top-scored with 38 runs. Faisal Saleem, the wrecker in chief, grabbed 4 for 16, Malik Asghar 3 for 8 and Waseem Akram 2 for 36 to complete the KLV Khodri rout.