Cricket: Hafeez, Misbah star for SNGPL

Pair hits centuries to trouble UBL at President’s Trophy

KARACHI: Mohammad Hafeez and Misbahul Haq cracked centuries to give table toppers SNGPL a massive 263-run lead against UBL on day two of their President’s Trophy match.

Resuming the day on 112 for two, SNGPL amasssed 428 for five in 106 overs as Hafeez made 193, while Misbah hit 109. Ali Waqas was unlucky as he was dismissed for 95.

In another match, out-of-favour NBP’s Wahab Riaz bagged a seven-wicket haul to earn a first-inning lead for his team against SBP, who were bowled out for 136. They struggled to 28 for three and still trail by 140 runs.

Meanwhile, Ehsan Adil took six wickets but failed to stop KRL from taking a first-inning lead against HBL.

KRL were all out for 253 in 68.4 overs after resuming on 74 for one.

In their second-innings, HBL made 105 for one in with Imran Farhat unbeaten on 51.

Elsewhere, Mohammad Khalil’s five-for gave ZTBL an important 60-run first-innings lead against PIA, who were bundled out for 152 at the Diamond Ground in Islamabad.

In reply, ZTBL had made 16 for no loss at the close of play.

Elsewhere, Wapda had made 269 for nine against PQA for a lead of 53.

Reports of T20 event unsettle players

Meanwhile, reports of a T20 event being organised at the end of the round phase of the President’s Trophy have unsettled the players.

There has been speculation that the Pakistan Cricket Board is planning to stage a T20 event in order to select players for the limited-overs series against India and is also considering postponing the final of the President’s Trophy until after the bilateral series.

“These speculations confuse the players and I think the PCB should clarify this,” an international told The Express Tribune. “Players start losing interest in first-class cricket and start setting other goals. Top players can only be gauged in the longest form. But some have started focusing on T20 tournaments because they know selectors will pick them if they perform in two or three games. This thinking is slow poison and the level of cricket will further detoriate.”

Meanwhile, another player stressed that performance in the President’s Trophy should be considered for selection.

On the other hand, a PCB official said a final decision was yet to be made regarding the matter.

Published in The Express Tribune, November 10^th, 2012.