Amit's fifty powers Karnataka into semis

Amit Verma’s unbeaten half-century helped Karnataka post a four-wicket win over TNCA President’s XI in the quarterfinals of the all-India Invitational Buchi Babu tournament here on Tuesday.

Chasing a modest 233-run target set by TNCA, Karnataka got off to a solid start after openers Robin Uthappa (39) and KB Pawan (37) knit a crucial 74-run partnership.

Following the loss of their openers, Karnataka looked in trouble until Manish Pandey (59) and Verma (82 n.o.) took to the crease. The duo strung a 107-run partnership for the fourth wicket to help carry the side through to the semifinals in the 71st over of the match.

A Aswin Crist (4/49) was the pick of the bowlers for TNCA, while R Aushik Srinivas returned with figures of two for 91.

Karnataka will take on Mumbai, who eased past Odisha in their quarterfinal encounter, in the last-four stage.

Brief scores: TNCA President’s XI: 233 in 89.5 overs lt to Karnataka: 237/6 in 70.3 overs (KB Pawan 37, Robin Uthappa 39, Manish Pandey 59, Amit Verma 82 n.o.; A Aswin Crist 4/49, R Aushik Srinivas 2/91).