Adnoc put an end to NPCC's winning streak

Dubai: Adnoc Distribution ended NPCC's unbeaten run to top the Inter-oil companies' division 1 table and earn a semifinal showdown with fourth-placed National Drilling Company, who thumped Adco earlier on the day here the council grounds on Saturday.

The reigning champions bowled out NPCC to a modest 134 and hit the winning runs with an over to spare.

Useful scores

NPCC will clash with Esnaad in the other semifinal, both matches scheduled for next Saturday.

Tabrez Ali, Irfan Basheer and Mohammad Nawaz grabbed two wickets apiece with only opener Faisal Iqbal (41) and middle order Rajib Chaudhry (31) putting up some resistance for NPCC.

The Adnoc Distribution batsmen paced their inning with all five chipping in with useful scores on the run chase.

Shihab Charkala hit 111 not out and shared a 141-run stand for the third wicket with Mohammad Altaf (57 not out) for NDC to post 309 for two in the allotted 25 overs. Adco in reply were skittled out for 82 with Ejaz Ahmad (4 for 16) and Iqbal Siddiqui (3 for 6) doing the damage. Charkala's 82-ball knock was studded with half-a-dozen fours and five sixes. Altaf struck a couple of sixes and a couple of fours from 33 deliveries. In the division 2 semifinals, Adgas clinched a two-wicket thriller with two deliveries to spare over Borouge and Gasco got the better of Takreer by 42 runs for a date on April 5 for the final-decider.

Borouge taking first lease of the wicket after winning the toss were restricted to 166 for nine in the allotted 25 overs and Adgas reached the target through tail enders Abdul Kareem (3 not out) and Faisal Wali (3 not out). The division 2 final will be played on April 5.

Gasco were bundled out for 169 after electing to bat first won. Altaf Jafar of Takreer had the Gadco top order removed by returning with excellent figures of five for 19. But Altaf's performance was overshadowed by Gasco skipper Saleem Baji's five for 14 as Takreer were bowled out for 127.

Brief scores

Division 1 - Adnoc Distribution bt NPCC by 7 wickets: NPCC 134 all out in 20 overs (Faisal Iqbal 41, Rajib Chaudhry 31, Tabrez Ali 2-36, Irfan Basheer 2-41, Mohammad Nawaz 2-6). Adnoc Distribution 135 for 3 in 24 overs (Biju Nair 24, Mohammad Nawaz 30, Dawood Wilson 35 not out, Tabrez Ali 20 not out, Tauqeer Abbas 2-22).

National Drilling Company bt Adco by 127 runs: NDC 209 for 2 in 25 overs (Shihab Cherkala 111 not out, Mohammad Altaf 57 not out, Mumtaz Hussain 2-17). Adco 82 all out in 18.3 overs (Ejaz Ahmad 4-16, Iqbal Siddiqui 3-6).

Division 2- Adgas bt Borouge by 2 wickets: Borouge 166 for 9 in 25 overs (Sadaqat Ali 60, Khurram Zia 42, Yasir Khan 20, Imran Ali 2-28, Mohammad Qasim 3-31). Adgas 167 for 8 in 24.4 overs (Imran Ali 65, Mohammad Naeem 33, Irand Swamasari 2-19, Harsha Lakmal 2-28, Naveed Butt 3-28).

Gasco bt Takreer by 42 runs: Gasco 169 all out 24.3 overs (Imran Ahmad 26, Mohammad Ather 24, Saleem Baji 24, Sameer Shaikh 22 not out, Altaf Jafar 5-19) Takreer 127 all out in 24.4 overs (Ehsanullah 30, Altaf Jafar 28, Saleem Baji 5-14)