After a disappointing season last year where it finished bottom among the departments, HBL have turned things around this time as they top the President’s Trophy at the end of round three, a thumping nine-wicket win over ZTBL to go top with 24 points.
Trailing by 131 runs on day four, ZTBL resumed at 12 for one and were bundled out for 168 with Fahad Maqsood claiming four and Aslam Qureshi grabbing three wickets. Chasing 26 to win, HBL lost one wicket and achieved the target in the seventh over. Former selector Abdur Raquib, who has been looking after HBL, said it was the presence of seniors like Younus Khan and Imran Farhat that is helping the team’s cause, adding that new recruits were doing their job ably as well.
“Last season our eight first choice members were busy with the national team which is why we ended up in last place,” Raquib told The Express Tribune. “But this time we have Younus and Farhat who are making a difference.”
Raquib also praised Pakistan U19 bowler Ehsan Adil, who is the tournament’s leading wicket-taker.
“Adil has been exceptional. Even Rameez Aziz and Usman Salahuddin are doing well.”
Cheema, Shah help PIA win
In another match, fast-bowlers Najaf Shah and Aizaz Cheema shared 18 wickets between them to help PIA register an emphatic 113-run win against a star-studded PQA side.
PIA started the day at 123 for six in their second-innings and were all out for 171. Set a target of 227, PQA were troubled by Cheema and Shah and were all out for a paltry 114. Shah claimed his second five-wicket haul in the match, while Cheema also bagged a hat-trick in his four-wicket haul.
Meanwhile, SNGPL, boasting five national team members, slipped to fourth after they played out a draw against NBP.
Elsewhere, SBP were able to survive a scare against UBL and registered a four-wicket win, while the clash between KRL and Wapda ended in a draw.
PQA fined
PQA received a penalty of Rs9,000 for slow over-rate, while their official Zaid Meer was penalised Rs2,000 for not providing used balls to the umpires on time.
Published in The Express Tribune, October 19th, 2012.
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