Umar Amin was the top-scorer for Rawalpindi with a resilient 43 as he took his team to an 89-run lead against Karachi Whites. PHOTO: FILE AFP
According to Ahmed, the 31-year-old Maqbool, who has claimed 23 wickets in the tournament so far, including three five-wicket hauls, would be a worthy deputy to the world’s number one one-day bowler Saeed Ajmal.
“Maqbool is an excellent bowler who has what it takes to play international cricket,” Ahmed told The Express Tribune. “Most off-spinners cannot turn the ball on unresponsive pitches because they don’t posses the art of spin bowling but Atif certainly knows how to make the ball talk.”
Maqbool’s consideration was also confirmed by a member of the national selection committee who said that they have shortlisted him and Adnan Rasool – who did well in the Presidents Trophy for SBP – as backup for Ajmal and are front-runners to get the nod in case Ajmal gets injured or needs to rest in the future.
Hussain takes 6 as Rawalpindi move forward
Meanwhile, on day two of the third round, left-arm seamer Sadaf Hussain claimed a six-wicket haul to help Rawalpindi bowl out Karachi Whites for just 185. In reply, Rawalpindi finished the day at 121 for five with a an 89-run lead.
Elsewhere, Sialkot were forced to follow-on against Karachi Blues and were struggling on 18 for three in their second-innings as they trail by 212 runs after being skittled out for 124 in their first-innings.
Faisalabad were 93 for three against Lahore Shalimar while Bahawalpur scored 121 for three against Abbottabad. Lahore Ravi finished the day in a strong position against Quetta at 146 for one while Peshawar were 113 for one in 26.2 overs against hosts Multan.
Published in The Express Tribune, January 9th, 2013.
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