Karachi University will meet Agriculture University of Faisalabad, runners-up of Zone 'A' tournament played in the Punjab, in the three-day semi-final here at the National Stadium from Saturday (May 23).
Zone 'B' runners-up Bahauddin Zakariya University face Punjab University, winners of Zone 'A', in the other semi-final at the NED University of Engineering and Technology Ground, also from Saturday.
The winners of the above-mentioned ties will qualify for the four-day final, scheduled to begin from May 27 at the National Stadium.
Karachi University, chasing a target of 155 in 40 overs, were cruising along nicely towards an easy win at 122 for two. But a series of reckless shots by the home batsmen almost cost the match.
In the space of 45 deliveries, Karachi University lost six wickets for 18 runs which left tottering at 140 for eight in the 38th over. That still left them 15 more short of the target with a possible 16 deliveries available.
However, the left-handed Asif Ghauri (seven not out) and Haaris Ayaz (eight not out) batted sensibly to guide their team through.
Openers Maisam Hasnain, who struck five boundaries in a 40-ball 23, and the left-handed Rizwan Qayyum, who made 32 off 59 balls with a solitary boundary, gave Karachi University the ideal start in a partnership of 44 before left-arm spinner Saeed Anwar Jr bowled Maisam through the gate.
Nomanullah hammered a breezy 56 off 58 balls with the aid of three fours.
Earlier, Bahauddin Zakariya were off to a brisk start after skipper Mohammad Riaz had won the toss. Pakistan under-19 opener Saeed Ahmed Jr hit 55 off 77 balls. The left-hander, who struck five fours and a six, added 50 for the opening stand with Shahid Nasim (12) and 45 for the second wicket with Agha Shahid (20) before he was run out.
Asif, in fact, was the best of the Karachi bowlers with figures of three for 14 in six overs. Fellow left-armer Rizwan Qureshi also claimed three wickets, conceding 37 runs in eight overs.
Summarised scores:
Karachi University beat Bahauddin Zakariya University by two wickets.
Bahauddin Zakariya University 154 for nine in 40 overs (Saeed Anwar Jr 55, Agha Shahid 20, Aamir Ata 14, Mohammad Riaz 12, Extras 21; Asif Ghauri 3-14, Rizwan Qureshi 3-37).
Karachi University 155 for eight in 39.3 overs (Nomanullah 56, Rizwan Qayyum 32, Maisam Hasnain 23; Shahid Nasim 3-28, Mohammad Arif 2-23).