Opener Imran Farhat (45, 24b, 5x4, 3x6) set the tempo chasing 166 in 20 overs with some lusty hitting, including two sixes over third-man off fast bowler Nantie Hayward.
The stage was then set for the duo of Mohammad Yousuf (28 n.o., 37b, 2x4) and Inzamam (62, 33b, 8x4, 2x6) to bring in all their experience and class during their 87-run stand for the second wicket.
Earlier, Superstars’ batting line-up did not really fire, despite being 100 for three off 11 overs at one stage. It eventually finished at 165 for seven in 20 overs.
Though opener Ian Harvey (29, 21b, 5x4) looked ominous, he did not last too long. So was the case with southpaw Hemang Badani (37, 29b, 2x4, 1x6) and R. Sathish (37, 28b, 1x4). None of the others were equal to the occasion.
The scores: semifinal: Chennai Superstars 165 for seven in 20 overs (Hemang Badani 37, R. Sathish 37, Rana Naved-ul-Hasan three for 30, Saqlain Mushtaq two for 26) lost to Lahore Badshahs 168 for four in 18.5 overs (Imran Farhat 45, Inzamam-ul-Haq 62).
