Akbar-ur-Rehman sets up Zebras' win

Akbar-ur-Rehman's all-round performance helped Karachi Zebras humble Karachi Dolphins by 81 runs, taking them to the final of the Faysal Bank One Day Cup. The Zebras will take on Lahore Lions in the final on Saturday.

The Dolphins, with Mohammad Sami and Sohail Khan in their side, won a good toss and opted to bowl. The Zebras had a steady start as Khurram Manzoor (60) and Akbar-ur-Rehman (63) built a solid foundation with a second-wicket stand of 89 runs after the loss of opener Fakhar Zaman (22). The middle order didn't consolidate well and kept losing wickets regularly. A late cameo from Javed Mansoor (33) propelled the Zebras to a formidable score.

Dolphins, with a more experienced line-up, had a wobbly chase as opener Khalid Latif (2) was dismissed by Anwar Ali in the third over and Saeed Bin Nasir (3) was run out in the fourth over. They soon lost five wickets for six runs, going from 82 for 3 to 88 for 8. Top-scorer Shahzaib Hasan (42) and Sarfaraz Ahmed (36) tried to negotiate the Zebras' disciplined bowling but were bogged by Akbar-ur-Rehman (3-13) and Misbah Khan (3-38). The Dolphins were dismissed for 158 in 43.1 overs.

The victory has made the Zebras the most successful side in the ongoing domestic season - they were unbeaten in their title victory during the Quaid-e-Azam trophy in Lahore last month and will now look to maintain their unbeaten streak by beating Lahore Lions in Rawalpindi on Saturday.