President’s Cup: Heavy fog forces share of one-day trophy

KRL, NBP players lash out at PCB for choice of venue

KARACHI: The President’s Cup One-Day Trophy was shared between NBP and KRL due to poor light and heavy fog that ruined play on the day of the final at the Gaddafi Stadium in Lahore.

Lahore had been under the cover of heavy fog for the past couple of days, and the situation prevailed during the final too. After almost a four-hour delay, on-field umpires compensated for the hold-up by curtailing the encounter to a 20-over game.

However, the conditions which worsened, allowed only 11.4 overs before the match was called off.

NBP were struggling at 59 for five as the ball appeared to behave a bit unusually due to the weather and a soft pitch. Nasir Jamshed was unbeaten on 32 off 34 with four boundaries while the remaining batsmen – Kamran Akmal (1), Sohaib Maqsood (4), Mohammad Nawaz (1), Fawad Alam (3), Umar Waheed (0) and Hammad Azam (2) – struggled to handle the bowlers.

Umaid Asif claimed two wickets while Mohammad Irfan, Zain Abbas and Nayyar Abbas picked up a scalp each.

In the aftermath of the play’s abandonment, players voiced their discontent with the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) for hosting the crucial match in Lahore despite being aware of the city’s state.

According to them, the PCB should have hosted the final in either Karachi as the weather is appropriate there for play or even Multan which has arguably the best conditions for limited over matches due to the nature of the pitch there and perfect outfield.

“It’s obviously disappointing that the trophy had to be shared because we were in pole position to win it,” one of the KRL players lamented while talking to The Express Tribune.

“There should be reserve days for at least the final of any domestic tournament as team fights hard to become champions. Those heading domestic cricket and committees should think about these things from before.”

‘Conditions were a nightmare’

NBP players felt that the pitch was livelier than they would have preferred, while batting out in the middle was a nightmare in overcast conditions.

“To be honest, it wasn’t easy to bat especially against Irfan because he is as it is a tough bowler to face in normal conditions, and with such overcast conditions, he becomes a nightmare for the batsmen,” said one the NBP players.

“Everybody who was playing the final felt that it could have either been delayed for a day or two. More so, the match could have been hosted in another city where conditions would have been more conducive for the game.”