President's Trophy: A successful defence for SNGPL

Title-holders thrash UBL by 278 runs in President’s Trophy final.

KARACHI:

SNGPL successfully defended their President’s Trophy title on Saturday, thumping UBL by 278 runs on day four of the final played at the Multan Cricket Stadium.

Set a mammoth target of 505 runs, UBL were bowled out for 226 in 50.2 over with Yasir Shah, who picked a five-for in the first-innings, claiming four wickets. Samiullah Niazi bagged three scalps.

Wajihuddin scored 57 off 91 balls with 11 strikes to the fence while Tariq Haroon also scored a similar number of runs at a quick pace.

Earlier, SNGPL resumed the day on 195 for five and declared on 262 for eight in 82.5 overs. Adnan Akmal just missed his century by a whisker when he was dismissed on 99 while Naeemuddin scored 77 to add to his 192-run knock in their first-innings.

Haroon and Adil Raza picked up three wickets apiece.

Players have proved themselves: Basit

The back-to-back titles were a source of delight for SNGPL coach Basit Ali who praised his team for achieving the feat without their star players for a major part of the tournament.

“It’s commendable that SNGPL have won the President’s Trophy again despite not having star players Mohammad Hafeez, Misbahul Haq, Azhar Ali, Umar Akmal and Bilawal Bhatti for most of the tournament,” Ali told The Express Tribune.

“They have shown great character by proving that the team is not reliant on international players.”

Ali further said that while performance has been overall satisfactory, Yasir stood out for his 48 wickets and 163 runs in the event.

“Yasir can definitely make a comeback in Pakistan because his leg-spin has improved and he is an excellent fielder. He can bat as well when needed, so overall he is a good asset.”

SNGPL’s success was based on runs from Naeemuddin (808), Ali Waqas (471), Taufeeq Umar (469), Azhar Ali (331 in six matches) while skipper Misbah scored 205 in two matches. The burden of the bowling was shared by Yasir, Imran (45 wickets) and Samiullah Niazi (39).

Beaten but full of spirit

Abid Ali of UBL was the best batsman of the tournament — scoring 850 runs at an average of 44.73 with three hundreds and five fifties. Atif Maqbool, the best bowler with 57 wickets, is also a part of UBL.

UBL skipper Maqbool was proud of his team’s achievement of making it to final.

“We made it to the final despite there being stronger teams than us which is a great achievement in itself,” said Maqbool.

“I appreciate the effort all the players have put in and there is a bright future ahead of us.”

Published in The Express Tribune, March 16^th, 2014.

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