Pakistan Cup: Zohaib, Shahzad disappointed to not score centuries

Both K-P players scored half-centuries in 74-run win over Balochistan

FAISALABAD: All-rounder Zohaib Khan ensured Khyber-Pakhtunkhwa (K-P) did not feel the absence of skipper Younus Khan against Balochistan but both him and acting skipper Ahmad Shahzad were left disappointed at not going on to score centuries.

Younus quit the team after he was left seething due to some poor umpiring decisions and Shahzad led the team in his absence as they claimed a resounding 74-run win over Balochistan in the ongoing Pakistan Cup at the Iqbal Stadium in Faisalabad.

Zohaib was declared the player of the match as he scored 82 runs after being promoted up the order and claimed four wickets as well to go with it.



“After Younus left, I had to fill his spot in the batting line-up and had to play responsibly as our middle-order felt a bit brittle,” said Zohaib. “The wicket was difficult but I am happy I managed to score.”

However, he was left disappointed at his inability to complete his century. “I am a bit disappointed on the chances I missed,” he said. “I fell 18 runs short, but I am happy that my 82 runs helped the team.”

Zohaib was not the only one disappointed on not reaching his century as acting captain Shahzad also felt the same and ended up taking it out on the dressing room mirror. Shahzad was dismissed on 79 and threw his bat in anger at his kit bag after returning to the pavilion, but it ended up hitting the mirror instead.

“The Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) hasn’t fined him, but we have asked the board to deduct the cost of the mirror from his match fee,” revealed the K-P management.



Younus decides to return

Younus has seen the folly of his ways and has decided to rejoin the Pakistan Cup after apologising to PCB Chairman Shaharyar Khan.

According to the PCB, Younus called Shaharyar yesterday and apologised for the incident and told the chairman he wanted to return.

“Being an advisor to the PCB chairman on cricketing affairs, I felt it was my obligation to take part in the premier one-day domestic tournament for the larger interest of promoting the game in the country,” said Younus.

Published in The Express Tribune, April 26^th,  2016.

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