Aijaz Ahmed Khan JEDDAH — Natco set up Reel & Rom League semifinals against MHA, while Hyderabad Green will face Jawar Al-Jazirah in the last four following wins in their respective quarterfinals here recently. Jawar Al-Jazirah beat ICC Irfan Basha by 6 runs. Jawar Al-Jazirah got off to a good start and put up an imposing total of 226 before being all out. Amir Shehzad hit a solid 61 off 25 balls with 3 fours and 5 sixes. He got good support from Shehzad Ahmed (39), Asim (28) and Rizwan (25). Nabeel and Irfan took 3 wickets each for 25 and 51, while Atta bagged 2-33 and Kashif 2-27. In reply, Rahil (37), Ashfaq (39), Zamir (33) laid a solid foundation but the middle order collapsed due to some sharp bowling by Rizwan (2-46) and Shan (2-18) along with Adnan, Shehzad, Asim and Zahid who picked up a wicket each. However, a quick-fire unbeaten knock of 30 by Nabil gave ICC hope before it was restricted to 220-9. Natco beat KAIA by 58 runs. Led by a stylish 64 off 35 balls from Adnan (including 7 sixes and one four) and a patient 41 off 26 balls (4 fours, 2 sixes) from Munawwar, Natco managed to reach a fighting score of 186 all out. Ali (3-21) and Meer (2-35) applied the brakes with support from Imran, Mamraiz and Arshad, who chipped in with a wicket each. However Natco bowlers bowled a tight line and length to bundle KAIA for 128. Hasnain was the chief tormentor as he ran through the batting lineup taking 5-10, including a hat trick. Majid (3-26) along with Zahid and Arshad, who took a wicket each, claimed the scalps. Although Imran (50 off 15 balls) and Mamraiz (31) tried their best, the lower order just could not stand up to the bowling of Hasnain and KAIA collapsed for 128. Hyderabad Green downed Desert Warriors by 55 runs. Hyderabad Green put on 216-3. Amir Gujjar once again stole the limelight with a quick-fire 66 off 34 balls (8 fours, 2 sixes). Javed matched him ball to ball with an elegant 55 off 28 balls (10 fours, 1 six). Usman then hit an unbeaten 56 off 30 balls (2 fours, 3 sixes). Islam, Muzammil and Quddus chipped in with a wicket each. In reply, Desert warriors were restricted to 161-9 with Amirullah and Babar taking 3 wickets each for 24 and 36, respectively. The trio of Zaheer, Asif and Abdul Malik bagged a wicket each. Only Wasi (43) and Wasim (25) offered resistance as Hyderabad Green won by 55 runs and advanced to the semifinals. MHA beat Al-Khulais by 15 runs. Batting first, MHA notched up 181-8 with useful contributions from Adil (36 not out), Jafar (33), Sher (28), Zia (23) and Ghafoor (20). Usman bowled well to claim 5-19, while Shahid picked up 2-39. In reply, Al-Khulais gave a spirited fight back, but fell short by 26 runs as it was restricted to 155. In the previous week's action MHA beat Saleheen by 6 runs, Butt Sports handed Al-Boroj a 10-wicket drubbing, Jawar Al-Jazirah thumped Al-Gudaid by 153 runs, ICC Irfan Basha beat Al-Khulais by 5 wickets, Hyderabad Green downed Reel & Rom by 108 runs, while KAIA and Natco score identical 7-wicket wins over Desert Warriors and Micro Engineering, respectively.
