Irfan guides SSGC to Grade-II title
Nine-wicket haul against CDA propels team to first-class cricket.
CDA were left in disbelief because it was a big turnaround after posting 416 in the first innings to get all out on a paltry 61 in the second. PHOTO: FILE
KARACHI:
Left-arm spinner Mohammad Irfan claimed an incredible nine-wicket haul to help SSGC win the Patron’s Trophy Grade-II title and qualify for first-class cricket next season, after beating CDA by eight wickets in the final at the Iqbal Stadium in Faisalabad.
SSGC resumed day three’s play on 298 for seven, trailing by 118 runs. They went onto score 376 for eight in their 83 overs and conceded a 40-run first-innings lead. Saifullah scored an unbeaten 107, while Irfan also contributed with the bat, chipping in 60.
Although SSGC conceded the lead, they gave themselves a chance to win the match by posting an acceptable average reply which worked in their favour — CDA succumbed to the pressure of a final in their second innings.
Bowling with a new ball, Irfan caused chaos and kept sending batsmen to the pavilion as CDA crashed on a meagre 61 in 26.1 overs. CDA were left in disbelief because it was a big turnaround after posting 416 in the first innings to get all out on a paltry 61 in the second. Irfan gave away 26 runs for his scalps while Nasir Malik took a single wicket.
In reply, SSGC raced to victory, scoring 102 for the loss of four wickets in 21.2 overs. Awais Zia made 29, while Mansoor Amjad remained unbeaten on 19.
SSGC will appear in first-class cricket next season for only the second time in their history.
“We’re proud of winning the final against the odds, and qualifying for the first-class competition next season,” an elated SSGC’s Akhtar Ayub told The Express Tribune.
Published in The Express Tribune, March 30th, 2014.
Left-arm spinner Mohammad Irfan claimed an incredible nine-wicket haul to help SSGC win the Patron’s Trophy Grade-II title and qualify for first-class cricket next season, after beating CDA by eight wickets in the final at the Iqbal Stadium in Faisalabad.
SSGC resumed day three’s play on 298 for seven, trailing by 118 runs. They went onto score 376 for eight in their 83 overs and conceded a 40-run first-innings lead. Saifullah scored an unbeaten 107, while Irfan also contributed with the bat, chipping in 60.
Although SSGC conceded the lead, they gave themselves a chance to win the match by posting an acceptable average reply which worked in their favour — CDA succumbed to the pressure of a final in their second innings.
Bowling with a new ball, Irfan caused chaos and kept sending batsmen to the pavilion as CDA crashed on a meagre 61 in 26.1 overs. CDA were left in disbelief because it was a big turnaround after posting 416 in the first innings to get all out on a paltry 61 in the second. Irfan gave away 26 runs for his scalps while Nasir Malik took a single wicket.
In reply, SSGC raced to victory, scoring 102 for the loss of four wickets in 21.2 overs. Awais Zia made 29, while Mansoor Amjad remained unbeaten on 19.
SSGC will appear in first-class cricket next season for only the second time in their history.
“We’re proud of winning the final against the odds, and qualifying for the first-class competition next season,” an elated SSGC’s Akhtar Ayub told The Express Tribune.
Published in The Express Tribune, March 30th, 2014.