National One-Day Cup: Salman, Asif return to competitive cricket in style

Opener scores century while pacer claims 2-22 in WAPDA’s 141-run win

KARACHI: Former Test skipper Salman Butt smashed a century while pacer Mohammad Asif picked up two wickets to mark their return to domestic cricket on Sunday as their side, Wapda, won their first match of the National One-Day Cup against Fata by 141 runs.

Asked to bat first at the Niaz Stadium in Hyderabad, Wapda posted 277-7 as opener Butt scored 135 runs off 143 balls. He was also involved in a 115-run partnership with Rafatullah Mohmand, who scored 51 runs.

Chasing 278, Fata were restricted to 136 as Wapda’s Khalid Usman dismissed four batsmen for 30 runs while Asif took 2-22.

After the match, Butt said he would commemorate this moment for life. “A hundred on return is something I will remember and I am satisfied with my batting and will hope to continue the same form.”

Asif, meanwhile, said he had overcome a difficult period in his life. “The last five years were the toughest for me but I am happy that period is over now,” said the 33-year-old.

Wapda coach Amjad Siddiq said that the two cricketers would only get better with time. “Butt was nervous in the morning but he played tremendously, staying solid on the crease,” Siddiq told The Express Tribune. “Asif is mentally strong so he didn’t take time [to get comfortable] and I feel that they will progress.”

In another match of the day, two unbeaten centuries by Fakhar Zaman and Asad Shafiq guided HBL to an eight-wicket win over Lahore Whites at the NBP Stadium in Karachi.

Lahore Whites posted 281-8 with the help of Sami Aslam’s 124, but HBL reached the target in 43.2 overs with the help of Zaman (120) and Shafiq (117).

At the Marghazar Ground in Islamabad, ODI captain Azhar Ali’s unbeaten 132 went in vain as SNGPL succumbed to a seven-wicket loss against Lahore Blues.

SNGPL posted 288-4 but Lahore Blues reached 291-3 in 45.1 overs as Muhammad Akhlaq scored 100 not out.

At the Pindi Stadium, Shan Masood scored 107 to help UBL restrict Hyderabad, while the Akber Niaz Stadium saw its home team Peshawar win the first match against Port Qasim Authority by nine wickets.

And centuries by Babar Azam (109) and Asif Zakir (100) guided SSGC to win against Islamabad Region, while the National Stadium of Karachi saw KRL defeat Karachi Whites by 34 runs. 

Published in The Express Tribune, January 11^th, 2016.

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