Super Eight T20: Tanvir blames poor batting for Rams’ ouster

Captain endorses sporting pitches in Twenty20 matches.

KARACHI: Sohail Tanvir blamed Rawalpindi Rams’ poor batting for the side’s exit from the Super Eight T20 Cup, the event they won in Faisalabad last year.

Rams’ lost their match against Karachi Dolphins - the side they beat in the final last year - and their loss at the hands of Lahore Eagles sealed their exit.

“Batting was our weapon but we misfired badly and that is the main reason we crashed out,” Tanvir told The Express Tribune. “However, overall we performed badly as a team.”

Tanvir added that his players performed well only in patches and it was disappointing to exit the tournament so early given how well the side has performed in the last three years.

“Nobody wants to lose on home turf and the players are gutted to have failed in front of their home fans. They’re also disappointed because they know the team had the talent to perform well, especially with the crowd support.”

Meanwhile, the former Rajasthan Royals all-rounder endorsed the idea of having competitive pitches for Twenty20 matches. In his view, the pitch at the Pindi Stadium, where the event is taking place, was a real test for the batsmen and, he added, only quality players will be able to perform in such conditions against quality bowling.

“The pitches here are very competitive. It’s about buying time in the middle and once a batsman gets set, he will go on to score big.”

Tanvir also backed Zia to show his talent if he was persisted with. Zia made his international debut against England in the Twenty20 series but was found wanting against the opposition’s fast-bowlers and, apart from a few slogs, was found wanting.

Holders crash out of Super Eight Cup

Defending champions and hosts Rawalpindi Rams crashed out of the Faysal Bank Super-Eight T20 Cup on Wednesday after a 34-run defeat by Lahore Eagles.

It was the Rams’ second successive loss in the group which resulted in their ouster, failing to shine in front of their home crowd despite much promise and hopes given their triumph last season. Set a target of 159, Rams were all out for 124 in 17.5 overs. Awais Zia struck 55 off 40 balls with two sixes and six boundaries but Emmad Ali, Junaid Zia and Mustafa Iqbal took three wickets each.

Earlier, Taufeeq Umar’s 76 propelled the Eagles to 158 all out off their quota with Tanvir grabbing three wickets. There was more misery for the losing captain Tanvir who was fined his match fee for commenting on the umpiring.

Panthers chew off the Zebras

Riaz Afridi’s four-wicket haul gave Peshawar Panthers a sniff of a place in the semi-finals after a 31-run win over Karachi Zebras.

Chasing a competitive 159, Zebras’ charge was in complete disarray courtesy Afridi who removed both openers and then returned to take two more wickets. As a result, Zebras could only manage 127 for seven off their quota despite Faisal Iqbal’s 38-ball 40 and Anwar Ali’s 21-ball 39.

Earlier, Iftikhar Ahmed top-scored with a 77, stroking three sixes and seven fours, laying the foundations of a decent total as the Panthers piled up 158 for five.

Anwar and Uzairul Haq bagged two wickets each for the Zebras.

Panthers and Lions have four points each while Faisalabad Wolves and Zebras have two.

Published in The Express Tribune, March 30^th, 2012.