SIRSA, Sept 10 :An entertaining strokeful knock of 62 by Faisal Javed and his 80-run undefeated fourth wicket partnership with Khakan Arsal (26) helped Lahore Lions of Pakistan storm into the semi-final from group A of the first Jannayak Ch Devi Lal International Twenty20 Cricket Tournament at the JCD National Cricket Academy Stadium here on Wednesday night.
Indian Air Force were the second team to qualify from the last four stage from this group. They won two matches and lost one to finish their league engagment. From group B Indian Navy and Life Insurance Corporation got the semi-final berths.
Lahore Lions roared against United Arab Emirates in the day-night match as the Pakistan club raced to a seven-wicket triumph and completed their league programme with an all-win record in the four-team group A league.
Required to 126 run for victory, Lahore Lions achieved their target in 18.1 overs. Lahore Lions lost opener Rahat Abbas Asad (9) at 11 in 1.3 overs. The other opener Shehbaz Butt also departed at side’s total of 31 in 4.4 overs. Faisal Javed and Kharan Arsal were associated in the match-winning partnership for the fourth wicket. Faisal was in a striking mood. He punished UAE bowlers to race to his unbeaten 62. He executed four brilliant boundaries and loated the UAE bowlers over the fence twice.
Arsal’s unbeaten knock of 26 in 29 balls contained three fours.
Earlier, UAE scored 125 for 7 in stipulated 20 overs. Opener Rajinder Bisht (37, 2x4s, 2x6s) and Puneet Mehra (23, 1×6) were their main scorers. Khakan Arsal and Saad Naseem got two wickets each for 21 ap;iece.
Faisal Javed was declared man of the match.
Brief scores: UAE: 125 for 7 in 20 overs (Rajinder Bisht 37, Umair 17, Puneet Mehra 23, Tushar Pant not out 17, Khakan Arsal 2 for 21, Saad Naseem 2 for 21).
Lahore Lions: 126 for 3 in 18.1 overs (Shehbaz Butt 12, Faisal Javed not out 62, 4x4s, 2x6s, Khakan Arsal not out 26, Puneet Mehra 1 for 20, Rajinder Bisht 1 for 17.
Lahore Lions win by seven wickets. MoM: Fasal Javed.