Peshawar chased down a target of 106 in just 15 overs, losing two wickets to complete a convincing victory and advance to the title match.
The final is scheduled to take place in Karachi on December 3, marking the International Day of Persons with Disabilities. Peshawar will face the winner of the qualifying stages involving the third and fourth phases of the competition.
After winning the toss, Islamabad were sent in to bat and managed 105-9 in their allotted 20 overs. Syed Wizarat Shah top-scored with 27 runs, hitting three boundaries, while Salman Ahmed contributed 23, including two fours and a six.
Waqif Shah added 13 runs, but Islamabad struggled to build substantial partnerships against a disciplined Peshawar bowling attack.
Adeel Khan and Asad Usmani led the bowling effort, taking three wickets each. Khan conceded 15 runs from his spell, while Usmani gave away 30. Zaidullah claimed two wickets and Atif Khan took one as Peshawar restricted Islamabad to a modest total.
The target proved manageable for Peshawar, whose batters approached the chase with confidence and maintained a steady scoring rate.
Adeel Khan was the leading contributor with an unbeaten 32, hitting one four and one six. His innings helped Peshawar maintain control and complete the chase without significant difficulty.
Sareer Ahmed provided further support, scoring 27 runs with three boundaries. Adeel Shehzad added 21, while Rehmatullah remained useful with a contribution of 20 as the side reached the target in 15 overs.
Islamabad managed two breakthroughs, with Waqif Shah and Zubair Khan taking one wicket apiece, but were unable to prevent Peshawar from securing victory.
Khan’s contribution with both bat and ball earned him the player-of-the-match award. Syed Sher Ali Afridi, chief executive of Al-Syed Marketing and the guest of honour, presented him with a cash prize after the match in recognition of his all-round performance.
Officials from the Pakistan Physical Disability Cricket Association attended the semi-final, including secretary general Amiruddin Ansari, head coach Sabih Azhar, regional heads Javed Ashraf and Muhammad Tahir Raja, and director Muhammad Nizam, along with other association representatives.
The players from both teams sang the national anthem before the match began, marking the start of the semi-final fixture.
Peshawar’s qualification represents an important step in its campaign for the championship title. The team will now have an opportunity to prepare for the final while awaiting confirmation of its opponent.
The tournament is being held in phases, with the third stage scheduled to take place in Bahawalpur. The fourth phase will also contribute to determining the team that meets Peshawar in the final.
The championship provides a competitive platform for cricketers with physical disabilities to demonstrate their skills and represent their regions. The scheduled final in Karachi on December 3 will coincide with the International Day of Persons with Disabilities, placing the competition within a wider effort to recognise participation and achievement in disability sport.
Peshawar’s emphatic semi-final win was built on an effective bowling display followed by a controlled batting performance. Islamabad, despite contributions from Wizarat Shah and Salman Ahmed, were unable to post a total that could seriously challenge their opponents.
With one place in the final secured, attention now turns to the remaining stages of the competition and the selection of Peshawar’s challenger for the championship decider.
