Bowlers propel Habib Bank into final

Habib Bank Limited 148 for 7 (Raza 58*, Talha 3-29) beat Port Qasim Authority 134 for 9 (Latif 34, Anwar 3-26) by 14 runs
Scorecard

A disciplined bowling effort from the Habib Bank Limited bowlers ensured they defended their 148-run target against Port Qasim Authority, winning the second semi-final by a margin of 14 runs in Karachi. Habib Bank will now play Pakistan International Airlines in the final of the Ramadan T20 Cup on July 25.

Habib Bank chose to bat first, but their top order struggled against PQA's new-ball attack as pacer Mohammad Talha snared three wickets within the first four overs of the match. Habib Bank were a precarious 47 for 5 in the 11th over before Hasan Raza and Humayun Farhat combined for a 46-run, sixth-wicket stand. Once Farhat fell for 22, Hussain came in and immediately began attacking PQA's bowlers, hitting 30 off 16 balls. Hussain and Raza put on a further 41 runs before the innings closed at 148 for 7. Raza finished with an unbeaten 42-ball 58, with Talha taking three wickets for 29 runs.

In reply, PQA's chase looked to be on track at 53 for 1 before a flurry of wickets between the 9th and 13th overs reduced them to 75 for 5. Sarmad Anwar dismissed PQA's top order to finish with 3 for 26. The constant pressure applied by the HBL bowlers made PQA's batsmen run ragged, with the last two wickets falling to run-outs. In the end, the 149-run target looked too much for PQA, who eventually finished 14 runs short, at 134 for 9.