Boundaries galore: Umar reminds Pakistan what they’re missing

Out-of-favour batsman smashes record-equalling century

KARACHI: A swashbuckling century by an inspired Umar Akmal powered Lahore Whites to a 19-run win over Rawalpindi in the ongoing National T20 Cup at Multan Cricket Stadium yesterday.

After being invited to bat first, Lahore Whites openers were a bit slow out of the block, with Salman Butt in particular taking 36 balls for his 22. After both him and captain Kamran Akmal had departed at the score of 52 in the 11th over, the latter’s sibling and centurion Umar decided to up the ante.

And up the ante he did as he struck the joint-fastest century (43 balls) ever scored in Pakistan’s domestic circuit, eventually amassing 115 runs off just 48 balls while smashing nine fours and as many sixes in the process.

With his unbeaten 43-ball ton, Umar equalled Bilal Asif’s record, which was created for Sialkot Stallions in the Super 8 T20 Cup last year. While Umar launched his onslaught, his partner Sikandar Raza was a mere spectator, scoring just 13 runs off 17 balls.

Chasing 176, Rawalpindi had a nightmarish start as four of their batsmen had gone back to the pavilion with just 24 runs on the board.

Captain Umar Amin (33) tried to steady the ship, but by the time he departed at the score of 97 in the 15th over, the required run rate had skyrocketed and there was little hope left.

Hammad Azam (52) and Yasir Arafat (24) tried their best to get closer to the target but in the end fell short.

In the post-match interview, man-of-the-match Umar talked about his batting plan, saying: “We tried not to give wickets to their experienced bowler Zulfiqar Babar but took our chances against their fast bowlers,” he said.

The winning captain Kamran commended his brother but also praised his bowlers’ contribution. “Umar batted really well but credit also goes to the bowlers who did not gave away much runs and we were able to restrict them on 156.

Published in The Express Tribune, September 6^th, 2016.

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