HBL lift Quaid Trophy after 33 years

HBL defeats PIA by five wickets to lift the Quaid-i-Azam Trophy title after 33 years.

Aftab Alam starred with a superb century as HBL defeated PIA by five wickets to lift the Quaid-i-Azam Trophy title after 33 years. Resuming on 101 for three, Alam steered his team towards the 236-run target on the final day at the National Stadium, Karachi.

In a day-night final that was highlighted by umpiring errors, disciplinary issues and the orange ball, HBL cruised to the win on the last day after fluctuating fortunes.

After PIA made a modest 228 in the first-innings, HBL responded with 313 including a century by Imran Farhat. PIA improved and managed 319 with Fahad Iqbal anchoring the innings with a knock of 84. But their innings was marred by umpiring errors and players breaching discipline with Iqbal arguing with Zameer Haider after being given out.

But the attention turned towards HBL’s run chase on the final day as Alam and captain Hasan Raza took the team home.

Players face bans and fines

PIA captain Kamran Sajid was fined Rs15000 for exchange of words with the umpire while the team’s batsman Iqbal was banned for two matches and fined Rs17000 after his refusal to leave the pitch when he was given out on the fourth day. PIA fast-bowler Najaf Shah, found guilty of ball-tampering, was fined Rs15,000. The team was also fined Rs75,000 for slow over-rate. HBL opening batsman Shan Masood was handed a fine of Rs8,000 for showing dissent at the umpire and the team was deprived of Rs35,000 for maintaining a slow over-rate.

WITH ADDITIONAL REPORTING BY FAWAD HUSSAIN

Experiment draws mixed reaction

The silence over the use of the orange ball for the first time in Pakistan’s first-class history was finally broken after the final. “The PCB should have experimented in the early stages because it was not easy for players to get accustomed with the change instantly,” said PIA captain Sajid. “It has in some way affected the final of the prestigious tournament. But, it was a good experiment and the PCB deserves the praise for initiating it.”

On the other hand HBL captain Raza said, “We had lengthy practice sessions before the final and we got comfortable with the orange ball.

Former Pakistan captain Javed Miandad also termed the experiment a success. “The match went down to the final day and this shows the experiment was a success overall,” said Miandad.

Published in The Express Tribune, January 18^th,  2011.