A record partnership of 208 runs off 95 balls between Aftab Khan and Amir Shahzad put United Cricket Club in the semifinals of the Summer Afternoon tournament here. Al–Safri remained the only undefeated team after beating AMI Juffali, while Crown Blue had the last laugh against Arif Gymkhana and Usman Gems Warrior lost again this time to My Care Hala Blue in the WPCA-organized event. In the Premier Division My care Hala beat Dopco Stars in the last league match to make the semifinals along with Zultec, Crown Steel and IDB. Zultec will face IDB, while Crown Steel will take on My Care Hala in the last four. The United Cricket Club beat Contraco by 18 runs. Batting first UCC put on 270 for 3 in 20 overs. Its prolific batsman Aftab Khan blasted 142 off 55 balls while adding a record 208 runs for the first wicket with Amir Shahzad (50). Shahnawaz later added a quick-fire 52 not out. Contraco accepted the challenge but could get to only 252-5 in the allotted overs. Kaleem hit 96 off 38 balls, while Irfan made 89. In another match Crown Blue beat Arif Gymkhana by 83 runs. Crown Blue racked up 253-3 against Arif Gymkhana with Fahad hitting an unbeaten knock of 101. Rashid hit 55, Zubair 32 and Hasanat 24 not out. Mehmood took 2-44. Arif Gymkhana in response was restricted to 170-4 despite a classic innings of 119 not out by Iftikhar. Al-Safri beat AMI Juffali by seven wickets. AMI Juffali batting first made 177-9 with Najam making 30, Asif 24 and Sufian 25 not out. Omer exhibiting fine all-round performance grabbed four wickets for 28 as Abid scalped 2-23. Al-safri in reply was home 178-3 with 11 balls to spare. Aftab remained unbeaten on 53, Omer hit an unbeaten 54 and Manjeet Kumar made 44. In another encounter Usman Gems Warrior was restricted to 117 -8 against My Care Hala Blue. Aleem grabbed four wickets for 38 runs and Nadeem took 2-16 with Nadeem Shabbir making 27 and Aijaz 19. My Care Blue was home 121-5 as Mohammed hit 27, Waqas 24 not out and Imran 21. Irfan took 3-33 for Warriors. Dopco scored 165-9 against My Care Hala as skipper Shoeb made 61. Mohammed took 3-25. My Care Hala reached the target 168 for the loss of two wickets in 17.1 overs. Nadeem Amin hit 65, while Khurram made 46.
