Quaid-e-Azam Trophy: Misbah, Azhar take SNGPL to fourth title on the trot

Duo’s 110-run partnership downs UBL by six wickets in day-night final

KARACHI:

A 110-run fourth-wicket partnership between skipper Misbahul Haq and Azhar Ali powered SNGPL to their fourth successive Quaid-e-Azam Trophy crown as they defeated UBL by six wickets in the final at the National Stadium of Karachi on Wednesday.

Misbah smashed seven boundaries and a six in his unbeaten 60-run stand off 96 balls while Azhar hit seven fours to make 56 off 124 balls to ensure that SNGPL reach the 160-run target set by UBL.



SNGPL had resumed the innings at 56-3, requiring 104 more runs to win, and Misbah and Azhar anchored the innings before the latter was caught behind off an Ehsan Adil delivery in the first ball of the 52nd over with the team 151-4. With the team requiring another seven runs to win, Misbah hit a four and made three runs off the next ball to conclude the match.



Rumman Raees finished with figures of 2-11, while Adil and Mir Hamza claimed one wicket apiece for 55 and 28 runs respectively.

Bilawal Bhatti was declared the man of the match for his remarkable 11-wicket haul, of which eight came in the second innings as he tore apart UBL’s batting line-up for 56 runs, and Misbah was all praises for his star bowler.

“Bhatti bowled magnificently and he totally deserved his career-best eight-wicket haul [in an innings] which guided us to this win. He has been in spectacular form throughout the tournament,” said Misbah.



The skipper also had encouraging words, mixed with some advice, for the youngsters in the tournament. “The young players did well throughout the tournament and I am happy with their performances. They, however, need to learn to stay on the crease for at least three sessions to improve on their batting. That’s the only way they can ever score big.”

Meanwhile, Bhatti, who finished with 33 wickets — the 12th highest in the tournament — credited his performance to the advice given by Misbah and the team coaches.



“I bowled according to the strategy of the team and kept my line which helped me take eight wickets,” Bhatti told The Express Tribune. “This tournament, especially the final with the pink ball, will always remain a memorable one.”



Losing captain Younus Khan also praised the efforts of Bhatti and other fast-bowlers in the tournament. “It is good to see young bowlers, especially Bhatti and Adil, bowling with this much pace. It makes the tournament all the more competitive.”

Meanwhile, Pakistan Cricket Board Chairman Shaharyar Khan said the future of Test cricket is with the pink ball and emphasised the players’ need to familiarise with the day-night format.

“We have to train our players for the change as this is the future,” said Shaharyar. “The final has been a healthy one and these players have to perform well in four-day matches to improve their skills for the five-day international matches.”

Published in The Express Tribune, January 7^th, 2016.

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