Faisal Iqbal stirred the memory of the famous last-ball six from his illustrious uncle Javed Miandad's career. Faisal, who played 26 Tests and 18 ODIs for Pakistan, smashed the penultimate delivery for the maximum, ensuring Grand Midwest's victory over Phoenix Medicine in the Al Aqili Ramadan Cup Twenty20 tournament in Abu Dhabi. His uncle, playing for Pakistan, clinched a dramatic win over India at the Sharjah Cricket Stadium 27 years ago. "It runs in the family," Faisal joked after guiding his team into Tuesday night's semi-finals at the Zayed Cricket Stadium. Faisal, 31, came in at No 7 and scored 11 not-out off five deliveries for his team to overhaul the 175 target. Grand Midwest, who also has the services of the Pakistan all-rounder Abdul Razzaq, will meet Danube Lions in the opening semi-final, at 8pm, and Yogi Group will play William Hare Abu Dhabi Gymkhana in the other at 11pm. Phoenix, electing to bat first, recovered from a shaky start to post 175 for nine, thanks to an excellent fifth-wicket partnership between Ayub Inayat (52) and Saqlain Haider (43). Grand Midwest in reply were given a breezy start by the openers Juma Gul (44) and Sameer Shah (35), the pair posting 66 in nine overs. However, it was Faisal's hit that took them to victory after a middle-order slump. Zahoor Khan, the medium pacer, took five for 19 from four overs to lead Danube Lions to a 31-run win over Interface. Adnan Mufti stroked 45 off 30 balls for the Lions to put up 150. Saqib Ali's effort went in vain as New Medical Centre fell 15 runs short after their bowlers did well to dismiss Gymkhana for 113. The UAE international was left 34 not out off 42 balls, but his fifth-wicket partner Naeem Arshad could score only 19 off 36 as they ended the innings on 98 for five. Elsewhere, Shahzad Malik blasted a half century to power Ibsons-Alubond to a 50-run victory over GMW Royals in the Ramadan Cup conducted by the Dubai Cricket Councils. Malik's 55-ball 68 enabled his team to post 173 for seven in 25 overs to which the Royals responded 123 for seven at the Dubai Men's College Fair Grounds Oval. Follow us
