Earning promotion: PIA fly into first-class cricket

Win Patron’s Trophy Grade II final by 10 wickets as Cheema claims 10-for in match.


Our Correspondent March 31, 2016
PIA will now be part of the 16-team Quaid-e-Azam Trophy after their emphatic win over Brighto Paints in the final. PHOTO: FILE

KARACHI: Aizaz Cheema’s 10-for in the Patron’s Trophy Grade II final helped PIA earn promotion into first-class cricket as they defeated Brighto Paints by 10 wickets at the Diamond Club Ground in Islamabad.

PIA had resumed their first innings 150-9 on day two of the four-day clash, with the last pair adding six more before being dismissed for 156; giving them a 65-run lead.

Brighto Paints once again struggled with the bat, being dismissed for just 92 having made 91 in the first innings.

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Cheema was the star of the show as he claimed 5-28, with Syed Najaf Shah claiming 3-32. Farhan Khan, who scored 35, was the only batsman who could be happy with his contribution.

Needing just 28 to win, the fourth innings was just a formality and PIA reached 30 without loss in just 4.2 overs to end the match on day two.

“It was a very good match for me; you don’t claim 10 wickets easily or very often,” said Cheema, while talking to The Express Tribune. “The pitch supported the bowlers but I still had to put in the effort to take wickets.”

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The veteran paceman, who has represented Pakistan in all three formats of the game, knew the importance of this match. “I gave it my all as I knew this is the chance for us to book a place in the Quaid-e-Azam Trophy. It feels great when you receive recognition for your involvement,” he said, adding that credit also goes to the batsmen.

Published in The Express Tribune, March 31st,  2016.

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