LAHORE: KRL snatched victory from the jaws of defeat when they overcame SNGPL by 13 runs in the second semi-final of the President’s One-Day Tournament on Tuesday, setting up Thursday’s final against PTV.

In a match of dramatic batting collapses at the National Bank Stadium, SNGPL, chasing 256 for victory, lost seven wickets for 44 runs. They slid from 198 for three in the 37th over to 242 all out in 48.2 overs. Earlier, KRL had suffered a similar fate, plummeting to 255 all out in 49.4 overs after being 233 for three in the 45th over, losing their last seven wickets for just 23 runs.

The architect of KRL’s victory was fast bowler Arshad Iqbal, who ran through SNGPL’s middle and lower order, returning outstanding figures of 10-0-43-5. Off-spinner Hamza Nazar supported him with two for 46.

SNGPL’s chase began with a 31-run opening stand before they lost two quick wickets. A 76-run second-wicket partnership between Omair Bin Yousuf (a run-a-ball 57) and Shan Masood (37) steadied the innings.

After a brief stumble, Saad Khan (66 off 81 balls) and Kamran Ghulam (34) put on 90 for the fourth wicket to put their side on the brink of victory. However, Arshad Iqbal’s devastating spell then turned the match on its head.

Earlier, SNGPL’s Mohammad Salman bowled splendidly in the death overs, finishing with impressive figures of 10-0-42-6 – his second six-wicket haul in the tournament. Yet, his effort was ultimately overshadowed by Arshad’s match-winning performance.

KRL’s total of 255 was built around stellar knocks from Waqar Ahmed and Saad Baig, who added 113 runs for the second wicket. Waqar, who missed his maiden List-A century by just six runs, scored a well-constructed 94 from 115 balls. Saad Baig scored a fluent 83-ball 77 with 12 fours.

Waqar later featured in a 74-run stand with Ahmed Hasan, who scored 43 from 45 balls with three fours and two sixes.

Scores in brief

Seond semi-final – KRL beat SNGPL by 13 runs, National Bank Stadium

KRL 255 all-out, 49.4 overs (Waqar Ahmed 94, Saad Baig 77, Ahmed Hasan 43; Mohammad Salman 6-42, Athar Mehmood 2-62)

SNGPL 242 all-out, 48.2 overs (Saad Khan 66, Omair Bin Yousuf 57, Shan Masood 37, Kamran Ghulam 34, Awais Zafar 20; Arshad Iqbal 5-43, Hamza Nazar 2-46)

Player of the match – Arshad Iqbal (KRL)