Pakistan local: Malir Gym enter final

Karachi, Dec 23: A gallant all-round performance by Wasim Naeem failed to prevent Malir Gymkhana from reaching the final of the Aga Khan Gymkhana Ramazan Cricket Tournament here on Saturday.

Malir Gymkhana defeated Rafiq Shirazi Memorial CC by 20 runs in the first semi-final at the Aga Khan Gymkhana Ground.

Malir Gymkhana, were sent in, made 199 for nine in their quota of 25 overs with Zeeshan Pervez and Farhan Adil scoring half-centuries.

Zeeshan hammered 64 off 35 deliveries with the help of six fours and two sixes while Farhan smashed 50 off 35 balls with two sixes and a four. The pair put on 78 for the fourth wicket.

Test reject Younis Khan struck two sixes in his knock of 26 off 22 balls.

Wasim Naeem bowled magnificently to capture four for 19 in five overs with his off-spinners. Another Test discard Hasan Raza claimed two for 41 with his part-time leg-spinners.

Rafiq Shirazi Memorial CC, in reply, were curtailed to 179 for eight in 25 overs.

Wasim Naeem, who was deservingly adjudged Man-of-the-Match, excelled to slam 57 off 45 balls. His innings was spiced with four fours and three sixes.

Veteran opener Imtiaz Safdar hit 46 off 44 deliveries with five fours and one six while Hasan Raza fell cheaply for three to left-arm spinner Salman Fazal.

Pacer Mohammad Hasnain was the pick of the Malir's bowlers with three for 28 while Salman took two for 22.

Summarized scores:

MALIR GYMKHANA 199 for nine in 25 overs (Zeeshan Pervez 64, Farhan Adil 50, Younis Khan 26; Wasim Naeem 4-19, Hasan Raza 2-41);

RAFIQ SHIRAZI MEMORIAL CC 179 for eight in 25 overs (Wasim Naeem 57, Imtiaz Safdar 46; Mohammad Hasnain 3-28, Salman Fazal 2-22).

Sunday's fixture: Aga Khan Gymkhana v Landhi Friends (2nd semi-final).