Abu Dhabi: Syed Maqsood blasted 121 from 49 balls to lead United Bank Limited to a comfortable 99-run win over Lions and book their place in the final of the Gulf Technical Twenty20 Trophy.
The bankers, after deciding to bat first, made a shaky start. They lost UAE international Rohan Mustafa (1) to a run out off the third ball and his national team teammate Mohammad Shahzad (11) at 52.
The Lions’ joy was hoevere shortlived as the experienced Maqsood and Dawood Ijaz went on the rampage with a 127-run stand in 59 balls for the third wicket to put UBL in the driver’s seat.
Maqsood smashed 13 fours and eight sixes and Ijaz’s 42-ball 73 not out was studded with eight fours and three sixes. Lions could muster only 144 for seven in reply.
In the other semi-final at the adjoining ADCC Oval, Mohammad Boota’s century for Royal Gymkhana went in vain as New Medical Centre completed a successful chase to win by three wickets with an over to spare.
Hafiz Ilyas smashed 55 from 33 balls to revive NMC’s run chase after they had lost both openers, Fayyaz Ahmad (7) and Saqib Ali (2), with just 17 on the board in the second over.
There were some useful contributions from the lower order, particularly from Shahbaz Ahmad (25 off 18 balls), Abid Ali (31 off 16), Alam Gir (29 off 12), and Sandeep Shetty (run-a-ball 15 not out).
Earlier, Boota struck 102 not out for Royal Gymkhana to help his side post 184 for five. His 57-ball knock consisted of 11 boundaries and six hits over the ropes.
