In the preponed semi-final today Catholic defeated Islam Gymkhana by four wickets to qualify for the summit clash.

Losing the toss and put into bat, Islam Gymkhana got off to a shaky start as they kept losing wickets at regular intervals and were reduced to 105 for six at one stage. But thanks to a seventh wicket stand between Shahbaz Khan (54: 4x4) and Janak Mistry (26: 1x4, 1x6) steered Islam to a healthy 222 for nine in the stipulated 50 overs.

Left-arm spinners Arun Shetty and Kunal More picked up two each for Catholic.

In reply Catholic Gymkhana openers Vikram Damle (35: 4x4) and M Bhamne (43: 8x4) gave them a good start putting on 64 for the first wicket. Thereafter Bhamne and Karnik added another 64 for the second wicket to put their side on victory path.

Karnik'sinnings included ten hits to the boundary to help Catholic reach the target in 46.1 overs. Medium pacer Sunil Malik and off spinner Zahid Shaikh picked a couple each.

Catholic now meet the winner of the other semi-final between hosts Bombay Gymkhana and MCA Colts to be played on Monday.

BRIEF SCORES

Islam Gymkhana 222-9 in 50 overs (Shahbaz Khan 54, Shakir Shaikh 29, Ajay Joshi 29 n.o.) lost to Catholic Gymkhana 224-6 in 46.1 overs (Vikram Damle 35, M Bhamne 43, Bharat Karnik 76).