Farhat brothers ensure HBL book semis spot

Humayun hits 51-ball 100 in one-day cup.

KARACHI:

PIA booked a semi-final spot in the Faysal Bank One-Day Cup Division I and will face Islamabad Leopards, while defending champions HBL take on Sialkot Stallions when the knockout rounds begin on March 19.

HBL downed SBP by 18 runs at the Faisalabad’s Iqbal Stadium to ensure their semi-final berth. Batting first, HBL posted 310 all out with Imran Farhat hitting 105, while his brother Humayun contributed a whirlwind 51-ball 100.

In reply, SBP were dismissed for 292 but after putting up a fight with Rameez Aziz making a 124-ball 107.

Meanwhile, all-rounder Anwar Ali took three wickets and hit a crucial 29-run knock to steer PIA to a three-wicket victory against NBP at the Gaddafi Stadium in Lahore. Khurram Manzoor scored 121 in a losing cause as PIA topped Group A with eight points.

In another match, Wapda defeated ZTBL by two wickets.

In Group B, Zeeshan Mushtaq hit an unbeaten ton as Leopards won a thrilling match by one wicket against Rawalpindi Rams. Batting first, Rams were bowled out for 223 in 47.3 overs as medium-pacer Nasarullah bagged four wickets. In reply, Zeeshan posted a superb 100 off 126 balls to help his side cross the finish line with four balls to spare.

In other matches, Stallions defeated Karachi Dolphins by six wickets, while Faisalabad Wolves downed Abbottabad Falcons by two wickets.

Published in The Express Tribune, March 17^th, 2012.