Kanoo Finance is set to face Kanoo Freight in the 15th Kanoo Inter-Division Cricket League, Western Province, 2011-12 final after beating Maersk Lions and Travel respectively in the semifinals. While Finance mauled Maersk Lions by 104 runs, Freight knocked out Travel by 23 runs. Finance vs. Maersk Lions Kanoo Finance got off to a good start as its openers Merchant (22) and Thabrez (94) put on 69 runs. Skipper Sami Khan joined Thabrez after Merchant's departure and he chipped in with quick-fire 44. Finance posted a formidable total of 204-5 in 20 overs. Ashfaq was the pick of the Maersk bowlers taking 5-26 along with Nabil (1 for 36). In reply Maersk got off to the worst possible start with Ehtesham and Nabil picking up a wicket each and Thabrez shone with the ball picking up 3 wickets in one over to reduce them to 34-5. Only Kamran (14), Ikram (19) and Aman (18) batted well as Maersk was unable to withstand the bowling attack. Thabrez and Sami Khan picked up three wickets each and were supported by Ehtesham, Nabil and Indika with a wicket each to bundle out Maersk for 100 in 16 overs. Thabrez was named the man of the match. Freight KO's Travel Put into bat Freight lost its opener early but Oliver 70 played sensibly with the support from pinch-hitter Imran 14 to put on 86 for the second wicket. Oliver steadied the innings and continued the run flow with the middle order batsman Nasir 15 and Donald 27 to increase the tempo with quick singles and an occasional boundary to help put on a fighting score of 186-8 in 20 overs. Ranil (3-24), Venkit (2-49) and Salman (1-54) bowled well. Travel openers Aleem (27) and Arif (29) put on 60 runs at almost 9 an over. Later Shammiraj (24) and the experienced Nayaz (25) kept the scoreboard ticking. Travel required 31 runs in 3 overs, but Mushtaq, Imran (1-19), Hameen (2-39) bowled well to give away only eight runs and tighten the noose around the Travel batsmen to restrict them to 163 in 20 overs to win the match by 23 runs and enter the finals. Oliver of Freight was named the man of the match.
