Panama: Bhatty CC to meet Muslim CC in today's First Division final

Panama's First Division title will be decided today (Sunday, April 22) with Bhatty CC meeting Muslim CC in the 40-over-per-side Final.

Bhatty qualified following its narrow two wicket first semifinal win over Dada Bhai CC in front of 500 people on April 8.

A 57th ninth wicket partnership between Mohamad Ali (30) and Nishar (35) retrieved a desperate situation for Bhatty which was almost sunk when 53-8 in the 16th over. Ali and Nishar each struck four boundaries.

Earlier its decision to send Dada Bhai was vindicated when the latter lost its first four wickets for 25 runs, the chief destroyer, Bashir Patel who snared three of those.

A 50 run partnership between Farook Jasat and Haroon Bhikhu (30) provided the bulk of an overwise dismal Dada Bhai innings, which folded to be all out for 110 runs in the 21st over.

Bhikhu, though, hadn't given up, snaring four wickets in a Bhatty collapse which saw five wickets fall for 40 runs after an opening stand of 25. It was Ali and Nishar who proved the difference.

Muslim CC squeezed into the First Division final with a narrow four run second semifinal win over Nawab CC on Good Friday.

A crowd of around 650 saw Muslim CC recover from the loss of two early wickets to smash 91 runs from the first 15 overs, albeit losing two more batsman in the process. The keys for Muslim CC were Ilyas Chohan (38), who struck seven fours, and Zahid Manjra (30) with four boundaries.

Muslim's decision to bat, however, didn't look so good when fine bowling from Haris (4-10) was the catalyst for collapse in which Muslim lost 6-27.

Nawab entered the second phase of the game as favourites, needing a relatively small target of 119 from 30 overs.

However, their chase never gained momentum with Abdul (45) the sole source of resistance. Soyeb Chohan caused the most pain for Muslim bagging five wickets.

The Second Division semifinals will be played today - Ahir CC facing Colon CC and Deporte Hindu CC meeting Royal CC.