Saleem’s magnificent 91 in 37 deliveries fired Friends XI to a thrilling four-wicket victory over Gladiators Club in the B and C Divisions category of the Ramadan Cup Twenty20 Cricket Tournament quarter-finals after a marathon chase.
At the Asian Town Cricket Stadium in Industrial Area, Gladiators Club were lifted to a massive 190 for seven by Kaleem, who smashed three sixes and eight boundaries in his 74. He was also involved in a 92-run stand for the fifth wicket with Shahbaz, whose 51 contained three sixes and five fours.
Dawood (three for 25) and Alam (two for 40) were the most successful bowlers. Hamad and Javed shared two.
Saleem provided the springboard to the chase as he blasted six sixes and 11 fours in his fiery 37-ball 91. After he set the tone, a seventh-wicket stand, shared by Hamad (39 not out with five fours) and Syed, saw Friends XI home with two overs to spare.
Syed slammed three sixes and two boundaries to post an unbeaten 28. Anwar, Avtar, Kaleem, Arun and Shahbaz all picked a scalp each.
In another match, Selex also qualified for the semi-finals after a four-wicket triumph against Gladiators Club. Suresh won the man of the match award for his 37-run knock and one wicket.
A 72-run alliance between Clive (34 with five fours) and Manjula (33 with two sixes and a four) enabled Doha Bank to put up 131 for six. Rassal hit a six and two fours to get 21 in 18 balls. Asif Umer picked two for 20, while Suresh, Sherin and Mansoor got one each.
Early blows, mainly by Sajith (three for 18), had Selex reeling at five for 59. But Mansoor and Suresh stemmed the rot and collected 62 runs for the sixth wicket to clinch the issue. Mansoor cracked a six and half a dozen fours in 44 not out, Suresh posted 37 with a six and three fours. Asif Umer’s 22 in 14 balls were also quite handy.
In the semi-finals today, Selex will clash with Al Hamra, while Friends XI take on Commercial Bank Qatar.
 
Brief scores
Friends XI beat Gladiators Club by four wickets
Gladiators Club: 190 for seven (Kaleem 74 in 49 balls, Faraz 22 in 15 balls, Shahbaz 51 in 32 balls; Alam 2/40, Dawood 3/25)
Friends XI: 195 for six in 18 overs (Saleem 91 in 37 balls, Hamad 39 not out in 35 balls)
Man of the match: Saleem (Friends XI)
Selex beat Doha Bank by four wickets
Doha Bank: 131 for six (Clive 34 in 35 balls, Manjula 33 in 27 balls, Rassal 21 in 18 balls; Asif Umer 2/20)
Selex: 134 for six in 17.2 overs (Suresh 37 in 36 balls, Mansoor 44 in 26 balls, Asif Umer 22 in 14 balls; Sajith 3/18)
Man of the match: Suresh (Selex).