Corporate Twenty20 Cup: Anwar Ali has big future ahead, says Rashid Latif

All-rounder smashes last-ball six to take Omar Associates into final.


Nabeel Hashmi August 05, 2013
“Anwar can be groomed into a top all-rounder and this is the right time to play him,” says Rashid Latif. PHOTO: AFP/FILE

KARACHI:


Former Pakistan captain Rashid Latif has urged the selectors to give a proper chance to Anwar Ali as he believes the player has the capability to solve Pakistan’s search for a reliable all-rounder.


The 25-year-old, who has played one Twenty20 for Pakistan, has been in sublime form throughout the top Ramazan tournaments for PIA and Omar Associates.

During the Ramazan T20 Cup staged by the Pakistan Cricket Board, Anwar played an important role in helping PIA draw a sensation final against HBL with his hitting, only to lose the match in the Super-Over.

He then repeated similar heroics in the 3rd Corporate T20 semi-final where he scored 23 off 13 deliveries. His knock included two consecutive sixes off the last two balls when nine runs were required to clinch the match. He also took a wicket as Omar Associates ended with 158 for nine in 20 overs while chasing 155 against SSGC.

Saad Nasim top-scored in Omar Associates’ innings with a 50-ball 66 and Atif Maqbool claimed three wickets.

Earlier, SSGC were dismissed for 154 in 20 overs as Ali Sarfaraz scored 57. Misbah Khan took three wickets while Mohammad Irfan bagged two scalps.

“Anwar can be groomed into a top all-rounder and this is the right time to play him,” Latif told

“He is a decent bowler who can move the ball both ways while his batting continues to improve as he is now proving himself to be a match winner. In terms of fielding, he is one of the best in the country.”

Latif recalled that he saw raw players Abdur Razzaq and Azhar Mahmood blossom into world-class all-rounders due to their methodical grooming by former skipper Wasim Akram. He stated that Anwar needs to be trained in a similar manner so that he may also go on to become a match winner at the international level.

“Initially, Azhar was more of an all-rounder whereas Razzaq was a quick bowler. However, the way both were handled by Wasim turned them into top all-rounders over the years.

“Anwar should be groomed likewise and must be given a proper chance first in the Twenty20s and then in the One-Day Internationals. I believe he can become an asset for the next Twenty20 World Cup.”

Sami guides PQA into final

In the other semi-final at the Moin Khan Academy, Mohammad Sami made a grand comeback for PQA, scoring 56 off 34 with four sixes and three boundaries. PQA, who posted 167 all out in 20 overs, won by one run against SBP, who ended with 166 for eight.

Published in The Express Tribune, August 6th, 2013.

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COMMENTS (8)

Effy | 11 years ago | Reply

Anwar Ali deserves to be in the team instead of Asad Ali, Asad Ali is in the team because he plays for the same domestic team as Misbah.

Zia | 11 years ago | Reply

yes he is a decent talent but nowhere as talented as Afridi or Malik

Afridi will bring us the next WC

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