Cricket: All-round Malik leads PIA to One-Day Cup title

Kaneria’s 7 for 39 in vain as PIA humble star-studded HBL.

KARACHI: Shoaib Malik’s all-round effort led PIA to the Faysal Bank One-Day Cup title as they defeated HBL by 36 runs in the final yesterday despite Danish Kaneria’s seven for 39.

PIA’s win follows their Quaid-e-Azam Trophy triumph yesterday, ironically emulating the defeated finalists HBL who achieved this feat last season.

Malik, named man of the match, and in-form Faisal Iqbal formed a 106-run fifth-wicket partnership to lead PIA’s recovery from 93 for four and take their side to 237. Malik made an unbeaten 80 off 88 balls while Faisal chipped in with 41 but Kaneria’s efforts looked to have tilted the balance in favour of HBL.

However, in reply, despite the presence of seven Test players, HBL were dismissed for 201.

“My motive was to perform well to get back into the national side,” Malik told The Express Tribune. “After being dropped, I worked hard on recovering from my shoulder injury and now I aim to return a better bowler in all formats of the game.”

Kaneria, meanwhile, was left distraught by the loss despite having contained PIA for a modest total.

“Individual efforts matter only when your team wins but unfortunately it wasn’t the case and that’s really frustrating,” said Kaneria who ended the tournament as the best bowler with 20 wickets.

Published in The Express Tribune, March 22^nd, 2012.