“Anwar can be groomed into a top all-rounder and this is the right time to play him,” says Rashid Latif. PHOTO: AFP/FILE
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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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.
yes he is a decent talent but nowhere as talented as Afridi or Malik
Afridi will bring us the next WC
Awais Zia should be recalled as well in my opinion
We need players like Anwar Ali who has become a match winner evident from his superb batting for PIA where he hit a six when seven were need of 1 ball and then hit those two sixes in Moin Khan semifinal to win match for his team.... This shows he has matured and knows his game v v v well..... BRING IT ON!!!!!
SUCH PLAYERS R NEEDED IF WE WANT TO BECOME WORLD CHAMPIONS AGAIN
And 1 more thing Latif is right that Razzaq took time to become top allrounder where as Azhar Mahmood straight away was a big success when he scored 3 centuries in Test series against South Africa :):) I still remember his knocks------- That way Anwar can certainly be groomed like Razzaq by gving him confidence because he too have big shots in his bag while he is a deadly customer when he has new ball in his hands... He is way better than Asad Ali atleast who is in the team because he playes for Faisalabad Wolves and SNGPL
Anwar Ali is way better than Hammad Azam but yet Hammad gets chances because he is from Punjab and Anwar hails from Karachi
I think this discrimination has also played its part in downfall of Pakistan cricket
I can't still forget that video of Anwar Ali where he produced amazing seam and swing to help Pakistan U19 become champions against an Indian team which had players like Pujara, Rohit Sharma, Piyush Chawla, Ravindera Jadeja... They have become super stars thanx to Dhoni whereas we have wasted Anwar a top prospect.... shame on our PCB managment
Anwar Ali has been overlooked for yrs now.. He was a under 19 star and should have been groomed from that time. But unfortunately our cricket structure sucks. OId names keep playing and no new talent is groomed properly.