Haris blitz helps NCA Youth XI level series

Scores 55 to steer side to four-wicket win over Malaysia at Gaddafi Stadium

KARACHI: A half-century by Haris Sohail helped NCA Youth XI defeat Malaysia by four wickets to level the two-match T20 series on Sunday at the Gaddafi Stadium in Lahore.

Electing to bat first, Malaysia were restricted to 139-6 as Rafiullah, the most successful bowler for the NCA Youth XI, took four wickets for 27 runs.

For Malaysia Vikandeep Singh’s (57 not out) was the highest scorer while Shafiq Sharif contributed with 34 runs.

Chasing 140, NCA Youth XI lost two wickets early in the second over, but responsible batting from Haris, who made 55 off 48 balls with the help of four boundaries and a six, and Nabi Gul (39 off 33 balls) took the hosts home. For the visitors, Derek Michael took three wickets for 21.

Talking to the media, NCA Youth XI coach Abdul Majeed praised the resilience of his team. “We made a good comeback in the second match after going down in the first. The boys improved their fielding today and restricted the opponents to a small total.”

He added that the matches helped them to see the potential of the young players, especially the players selected from remote areas. “I am glad that some players were really good and I am sure some of them will represent the national side in the future.”

Meanwhile, the manager of Malaysia Shankar Retinam thanked the Pakistan Cricket Board for the hospitality shown during the tour. “It was an honour to come here and play at the famous Gaddafi Stadium. Winning and losing is part of the game, but our players have learned a lot during the ten-day stay here and it was a great exposure for us,” he said.

He went on to praise the security provided to the team. “Regarding security, I would say that everything is perfectly alright over here. In fact, we are thinking to come over here again in April just before the start of the World League to practice and use the facilities of the NCA.”