By A.A. Merchant

JEDDAH — Pepsi Deccan Knights (PDK) will take on mighty Hyderabad Sharks in the final of Bonny Super League T20 Cup, sponsored by Bonny and organized by Jeddah Cricket Association (JCA). In the first semifinal, Hyderabad Sharks eliminated Malik XI by just 1 run and in second semifinal Pepsi Deccan Knights knocked off Jeddah Zalmi comfortably by 63 runs.

Hyderabad Sharks started badly losing a couple of wickets to the fiery pace of Tauseef (3 for 38) and sharp spin of Azam (3 for 19). However, lower order batsmen Sada (24) and Hamza (21) gave a spirited fightback to take them to 176 in 19.3 overs.

In reply, Malik XI too started on the wrong foot, losing wickets at regular intervals to some quality bowling of the trio of Mubashir (3 for 35), Sarfaraz (2 for 28) and Hasam (2 for 35). However, Sagheer stood firm at one end with a gritty knock of 74 in 47 balls (4x4, 6x3) and with support from Mohsin (40), almost brought their team to the brink of victory only to falter by a solitary margin of 1 run as Malik XI’s folded up at 175-9 in 20 overs.

Waqas (55), Mazhar Abbasi (52) and Kashif (35) batted brilliantly to help Pepsi Deccan Knights put on a match-winning score of 250-6, despite Raza’s conservative bowling spell of 3 for 39.

In reply, Jeddah Zalmi batsmen Bilal (72) and Abid (37) batted aggressively, but good bowling in tandem by Mazhar (2 for 23), Adnan (1 for 18) and Athar (1 for 28) restricted Jeddah Zalmi to 187-6.

Scores:

Hyderabad Sharks beat Malik XI by 1 run. Hyderabad Sharks 176 all out (Yasir 36, Sada 24, Hamza 21, Tauseef 3 for 38, Azam 3 for 19, Hasan 2 for 38). Malik XI 175-9 (Sagheer 74, Mohsin 40, Mubashir 3 for 35, Sarfaraz 2 for 28, Hassam 2 for 35).

Pepsi Deccan Knights beat Jeddah Zalmi by 63 runs. Pepsi Deccan Knights 250-6 (Waqas 55, Mazhar 52. Raza 3 for 39). Jeddah Zalmi 187 for 6 (Bilal 72, Abid 37, Mazhar 2 for 23, Adnan 1 for 18, Athar 1 for 28).