Lahore Lions Innings:

 

The star-studded lineups of Karachi Dolphins and Lahore Lions went head-to-head in the first semi final match of the tournament, with Lions winning the toss and choosing to bat first. Hoping to fully utilize the toss to their advantage - with the facilities of international players such as Umar Akmal, Kamran Akmal, Abdul Razzaq, Ahmed Shehzad and Nasir Jamshed - the Lions faced an early stumble as Tanvir Ahmed dismissed the dangerous Ahmed Shehzad in the second over. 

 

Despite the early loss though, Lions continued to score at a brisk pace with Nasir Jamshed fearlessly hitting the boundaries and going for the maximum, thus putting his team in a strong position. 

 

Continuing with their form, Jamshed and Kashif Siddiq put on a very useful 63 runs partnership from just 40 balls. A much needed break, however, came in the form of Faraz Ahmed as he picked up Nasir Jamshed's wicket with a flighted delivery, all the while emulating an Afridi-type celebration to mark the end of this promising youngster's onslaught (who scored 36 runs from just 26 balls). 

 

Where Nasir Jamshed left it off though, Kashif Siddiq continued to attack, leaving no breathing space for the Dolphins as the runs kept on getting piled up, and that too at a healthy rate of more than 10 per over. Having justified his promotion up the order, Kashif Siddiq fell victim to Rumman Raees in the 13th over though, after making 48 runs from 35 balls - just short of a half century. 

 

After his dismissal and Kamran Akmal's minor 16 runs stand, the rest of the Lions were not as productive. While it looked as if they would end up with a score of 200 plus initially, Dolphins did well to pull things back - as wickets kept on tumbling in the last five overs of the game. Umar Akmal, not pleased with the umpire's decision against him, headed back to the pavilion after making only 13 runs. Abdul Razzaq soon followed his young partner's route and headed back after getting run out (ending up short of his crease with Sarfraz Ahmed quickly removing the bails). 

 

At 133-6 after 15 overs, Raza Ali Dar's helpful 22 runs cameo also came to an end - as he fell victim to a run out (a direct throw from Asad Shafiq effectively did the deed). 

 

Dolphins, while they had conceded quite a few runs due to some miserable fielding (along with a dropped catch by Sami) in the beginning, tidied up their act near the end. The Lions thus ended their innings on 167-7, leaving a competitive total for the Dolphins to chase.

Karachi Dolphins Innings:

 

Although not possessing the same amount of batting firing power in their arsenal, the Karachi Dolphins couldn't have asked for a better start to their chase. One man, Shahzaib Hasan (who was due a good knock), capitalized on every opportunity offered and went on complete carnage mode. Shahzaib scored 57 runs from just 28 balls, hitting six boundaries and smashing four sixes, until he top edged a short ball from Imran Ali - with Zia-ul-Haq taking a simple catch to dismiss him (much to the delight of Lahore Lions). 

 

However, with the excellent platform provided by Shahzaib Hasan, things seemed too easy for Karachi Dolphins and with such a great start on offer, they didn't seem too troubled with the chase.

 

Although Asad Shafiq, after looking good at the crease, got out after making only 22 runs, opener Khalid Latif made sure the task at hand would be completed with relative ease. Much like how Kashif Siddiq continued to attack after Nasir Jamshed's dismissal, Khalid Latif kept on persevering at the wicket and steered the innings with his useful 45 runs addition from 35 balls. 

 

Although he then got out in the 15th over of the game, the Dolphins only required 16 runs from 25 balls at this point in time, the match theirs to lose after the solid contributions by earlier batsmen.

 

Rameez Raja Jr. and Sheharyar Ghani then steered the team home, remaining not out, as Dolphins won the semi final match by 7 wickets, with 6 balls remaining.

 

Now in the finals after caging the Lions, the Dolphins will face the winner of the second semi final match between Peshawar Panthers and Sialkot Stallions.