YANBU – Strong teams Pak Crescent and Saudi XI easily defeated Cristal and Kabbani Cosma respectively to make the final of the YACA T20 Day Night Division I tournament here. Pak Crescent won the toss and elected to field. Crystal's most aggressive batsman Ahmedullah was caught by Asif off Mustafa with just 7 runs on the board. Saeed and Moiz took the score to 48 before Saeed was trapped leg before by Sarfaraz for 12. Half century by Moiz, Tofique's 24 and Nasim's 37 took the score to 139 but there were four consecutive run-outs and Cristal finished with 146 from its allotted 20 overs. Pak Crescent's Sarfaraz and Nadeem took two wickets each giving away 28 and 24 runs respectively. Pak Crescent also had a shaky start as Asif was caught off Nasim when the total was 2. Then Arif and Zahid looked in control putting up 95 together. Zahid scored 40 before he fell lbw to Ahmedullah. Ahmedullah took Arif's wicket for 53 which included four sixes and three fours. Sarfaraz and Saleem ensured that no further damage was done and scored the required runs with 5.1 overs remaining. Zahid of Pak Crescent was adjudged the Man of the Match. The second semifinal was a low scoring match in which Saudi XI recorded a thumping victory over Kabbani Cosma avenging its league match defeat. Kabbani Cosma won the toss and elected to bat. Khurram opened the bowling from Camp 3 end and aggressive Ijaz opened his account with a six over square leg. But Afzal brilliantly caught the other opener Ehsan off the fifth ball of the first over. Saudi XI skipper Nadeem Nadwi took charge from the other end and once again Afzal took a well judged catch and got rid of dangerous Ijaz. Kabbani Cosma did not recover after it lost 7 wickets within a matter of 15 runs. Ihsan and Amir took the score to 37 before Ihsan fell lbw to Dr. Aamir who also claimed the scalp of Amir. Kabbani Cosma lost nine wickets for 46 runs. However, the last pair Sajid and Atif managed to make a 43-run partnership with both scoring 21 each while Sajid remained not out. Saudi XI bowlers Khurram took 4-16, Nadeem 3-8 and Dr. Aamir 2-9. Brothers Junaid and Afzal opened for Saudi XI. Ehsan took the only wicket for his team when Junaid was caught by Amir when the total was 41. Afzal and Khurram finished the game and took their team to the final. Afzal, who remained 76 not out with eight sixes and four fours, was declared the Man of the Match.
