Under fire seniors shine at President’s Cup

Younus, Malik and Kamran hit impressive centuries in ongoing domestic tournament.

KARACHI:

With the Pakistan Cricket Board’s (PCB) selectors contemplating their future, senior players hit back with superb performances in the President’s Cup One-Day tournament yesterday.

Seasoned middle-order batsman Younus Khan, whose One-Day International (ODI) career hangs in the balance after he was snubbed from a preliminary squad for the ICC Champions Trophy, signalled his intentions with a shining 101 off 124 deliveries in HBL’s 27-win over PIA in their Group B game at the National Stadium, Karachi.

After being asked to bat first, the star-studded outfit was aided by Younus’ ton as it compiled a massive 331 for the loss of just three wickets.

Asad Shafiq also looked in good form, making an undefeated 92 from 74 deliveries, laced with 13 boundaries. Shahid Afridi was also impressive as he made an unbeaten 39, including three sixes and as many boundaries from just 15 deliveries.

PIA, led by Shoaib Malik, were solid in their reply, with the captain leading from the front with a 108-run knock with the help of 13 fours and a six from only 76 deliveries.



However, his effort was not enough as the team was bundled out for 304 in 48.3 overs.

There was no luck for Afridi as a bowler as he remained wicketless after conceding 55 runs. Ehsan Adil and Abdul Rehman shared the bowling honours for HBL, grabbing three wickets each.

‘More to come from Younus’   

Meanwhile, coach and HBL manager Liaquat Ali said he was confident of Younus’ comeback before the event.

“It’s never easy to perform under such pressure,” Ali told The Express Tribune. “But Younus proved that he has nerves of steel. We are hoping that he plays more such innings and that will prove he is still good enough in the format.”

Kamran shines with ton

Meanwhile, senior wicket-keeper Kamran Akmal, who is also under the selectors’ radar, hit an unbeaten 132 off 131 to guide NBP to a nine-wicket win over Port Qasim in Group A at the Gaddafi Stadium .

Kamran smashed 22 boundaries in his match-winning innings, while Sami Aslam also played a defiant knock as the team overhauled the 249-run target in 48.2 overs.

Earlier, Port Qasim struggled and ended at 248 with discarded batsman Khurram Manzoor (94) being the top scorer.

In another match, Misbahul Haq-led SNGPL survived a scare to beat ZTBL by just two runs in Multan.

Spurred by half-centuries from Azhar Ali (89), Taufiq Umar (67) and Khurram Shahzad (56*), SNGPL scored 314 for five in the stipulated overs.

In reply, ZTBL gave their opposition a run for their money. Haris Sohail made 99 before being dismissed and the run-chase was aided by Sharjeel Khan (61), Hussain Talat (52) and Baber Azam (50) but ZTBL still fell short, finishing on 312 for six.

In Group B, SBP also recorded a narrow three-run win over Wapda to secure maximum points.

Published in The Express Tribune, April 8^th, 2013.