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PIA strolled to a nine-wicket win over ZTBL to win the Quaid-i-Azam Trophy for the seventh time.
PIA conceded a first-innings lead but fought back well to dismantle ZTBL’s charge, removing nine batsmen on the third day before wrapping up the innings early on the fourth afternoon for just 70. Fine effort from PIA’s fast-bowlers left them needing just 107 to lift the trophy, a target they achieved without much fuss.
Anwar Ali was named man of the match for his eight-wicket haul in the final.
ZTBL had themselves to blame as they were reduced to bits in their second-innings. After a 37-run lead, their batsmen failed to apply themselves, falling like ninepins to be bundled out for a measly total to ensure last year’s finalists clinched the title this time around.
Pink ball gets dull response
While PIA revelled in their moment of triumph, the experiment to stage the final with a pink ball was not well-received by the players.
Last year, the Pakistan Cricket Board used orange balls in the final of the prestigious domestic tournament as the sport aims to attack bigger crowds for the five-day format.
However, the decision to use pink balls in the final this year was not appreciated by the players who complained of not being used to the conditions.
ZTBL captain Imran Nazir gave a thumbs-down to the experiment, citing visibility issues.
“Visibility issue was one of the factors behind our batting collapse,” Nazir told The Express Tribune.
“If the authorities wanted to experiment they should have given us time to get used to it. We played with the red ball the entire season and suddenly changing it in the final was not good.”
He also said that he was not a supporter for experimenting in Tests.
“I don’t see any future of day-night Tests as this format looks good in its original form. Let’s confine day-night matches and coloured balls to limited-overs formats.”
Winning captain Kamran Sajid echoed Nazir’s comments.
“They should’ve given us more time to practise,” he said before adding that the sighting of orange ball was better.
ZTBL wicket-keeper Zulqarnain Haider said more work was needed before the change could be implemented. “Once the ball became old it created problems because of the change in colour.”
Ali, however, said the future of Test cricket was holding day-night matches.
“I think day-night matches are the future of Tests. We should give it a try before reaching any conclusion.”
Published in The Express Tribune, December 24th, 2011.
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This is real unjustice in Pakistan when you ignore true bowlers like Anwar Ali who is far ahead with other useless fellows like Sohail Tanvir. We also need Fawad Alam in the team in place of ill formed Shoaib Malik. He was top performer in domestic and have good record in UAE against tough South Africa.
Its time to call Anwar Ali in national team, a place he deserve since his extra ordinary performance in U19 world cup. I think our old PCB selectors might be able to see his performance as its too big and cannot be avoided. He seems best replacement of Abdul Razzak.