NBP, Stallions confirm berths in Cup semis

KARACHI: Multan Tigers, National Bank, SNGPL and Sialkot Stallions confirmed their berths in the semifinals as the league round slots of the RBS Cup One-day 2009-10 completed on Thursday in the country.

Now, Multan Tigers will face Sialkot Stallions in the semifinal to be held at the Gaddafi Stadium in Lahore on February 21 while on the same day, National Bank will meet SNGPL in the second semifinal at the Iqbal Stadium in Faisalabad.

Multan Tigers beat Peshawar Panthers by five wickets here at the UBL Ground No 1 to top Group A with 16 points. Peshawar were dismissed for 250 in the allotted 50 overs with opener Haroon Ahmed hitting 67 with ten fours.

In reply, Multan Tigers achieved the target in the 42nd over for the loss of five wickets. Gulraiz Sadaf slammed 103 off 111 balls in which he hit 13 fours. Kashif Naveed hit 73 with three fours and a six.

The result threw Karachi Dolphins out of the tournament as they ended with 12 points when they ousted Hyderabad Hawks by 45 runs in their last Group A tie here at the National Stadium.

National Bank defeated Karachi Zebras by two wickets in Group B in Lahore to advance into the last four on account of better net run-rate as the bankers and their group rivals KRL ended with 18 points each.

Similarly, SNGPL beat WAPDA by 69 runs to make a cut for the semifinals with 16 points in Group D. After giving a tough target of 295 with brilliant 101 not out from skipper Misbah-ul-Haq SNGPL were able to dismiss WAPDA for 225 in the 50th over. Jahangir Mirza (88) and wicketkeeper batsman Ahmed Said (56 no) were the main contributors.

Sialkot Stallions confirmed their semifinals berth on better net run-rate in spite of their surprise 61 defeat at the hands of Faisalabad Wolves. Both Rawalpindi Rams and Sialokot Stallions ended Group C league phase with 16 points each.

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