Pakistan international stars – Shahzaib Hasan and Hasan Raza – both hit half centuries to guide their respective teams into the final of the Onashi Trading Pan Global Development Ramadan Twenty20 Cup final.
Shahzaib smashed 54 runs in 31 balls and shared a 77-run first wicket partnership in eight overs with Ashfaque Ahmed (14) to lay the foundation for Wings’ 14-run win over Al Jabeen.
In the other semi-final, Raza played the anchor role to graft a top score of 55 not out and took two wickets for two runs to play a major role in Alubond Tigers’ 36-run triumph over MMS Rental.
At the Sheikh Zayed Cricket stadium, Shahzaib made Al Jabeen pay a heavy price for not accepting a simple enough chance when he was on one.
The opener was dropped at extra cover, and then he went on to clobber four sixes and an equal number of fours to top score for his team.
His departure triggered a collapse as four wickets fell for 11 runs before a cameo from Sajjad Khwarakee, who made 30 off 17 deliveries, took the Wings total to a more challenging one.
UAE captain Khurram Khan was among the flurry of wickets that fell for Wings, but he made up with his bowling.
Run out without scoring, Khan was given the new ball and he provided the early break by dismissing Yaqoob Masih (0) in the second ball of the inning.
Khan then ended a threatening second-wicket stand when he had Abdul Rahman, the other opener, trapped in front for 20 with the score at 41.
In the other game, Raza drew on all his international experience to hold the Tigers’ inning together but it was Umair Ali Khan’s 40 not out from 18 balls that gave his team the lift they wanted.
Raza’s 43-ball knock was highlighted by five fours and a six, and he featured in a valuable 75-run stand with Umair for the sixth wicket without being separated.
Nasir Aziz, the UAE spinner, was the pick of the Tigers bowling with 4-13 from four overs as MMS Rental were bowled out for 110.
