Pakistan A team recorded a clean sweep of the one-day series against the UAE by registering an emphatic 160-run victory in the third and final one-day match at the Sharjah Cricket Stadium yesterday.
The UAE put up a spirited bowling display to restrict Pakistan to 266, but were bowled out for a paltry 106 in 24.1 overs. The hosts found the pace of Naveed Ul Hassan (five for 23) and Yasir Arafat (four for 24) too hot to handle.
Pakistan won the toss and elected to bat. Ahmed Nadeem, who maintained a good length, struck at the score on 23.
He forced Farhat to slash at an innocuous delivery outside the off-stump for wicketkeeper Mohammed Nadeem to take the catch. Asim Saeed, too, bowled so well that the first 10 overs produced just 26 runs.
One down batsman Malik settled down slowly and began to essay some lovely strokes. He pulled Saeed for two boundaries in one over.
Young medium-pacer Leon Carlo and off-spinner Mohammed Tauqeer tried hard to break the partnership. Malik drove elegantly on both sides of the wicket. The next 10 overs produced 60 runs with opener Salman Butt, too, executing some exquisite drives.
Malik lifted Tauqeer over long on for a huge six to help Pakistan reach the 100-run mark in the 22nd over.
At the score on 104, Malik ran for a cheeky single to mid on and was run out off a direct throw from Naeemuddin after a well-made 49 (44b, 5x4, 1x6).
Naeemuddin stood out among the fielders through his diving stops and splendid pick-an- throws. Afzal and Tauqeer checked the run-flow and only 38 runs could be added between the 20th and 30th overs.
Butt reached his 50 (97b, 6x4) and the 150 of the Pakistan innings came in the 33rd over.
Saeed bin Nasir went for his shots. He lifted Afzal for a six to long off to speed up the run flow. At the score on 174, Afzal struck to trap Saeed leg before for 40 (48b, 2x4, 2x6). A well-settled Butt was run out for 66 (114b, 7x4) by bowler Nadeem.
Leon earned his first success when he clean bowled Naveed for nine. Ten overs to go and Pakistan slipped to 189 for five.
Atiquzzaman and Yasir Arafat added 57 runs for the sixth wicket in six overs before Arafat lofted into the hands of Abdullah at deep covers for 24.
Atiquzzaman, too, followed playing a similar shot into the hands of Abdullah for 42 (30b, 3x4). Asim struck with the next ball having Zia caught at mid on by Tauqir and Pakistan were restricted to 266.
The UAE got off to a disastrous start losing opener Imran Farhat and one-down Fahad Usman for a duck.
Saeed and Naeemuddin added 24 runs before falling victims of Naveeds unplayable pace. Both were out clean bowled. Abdullah withstood 11 balls before becoming the fourth batsman to be clean bowled by Naveed.
Mohammed Afzal (29), withstood the pace along with Ahmed Nadeed (19) before falling to Yasir Arafats pace. Arafat also ran through the tail in a flash to give Pakistan an easy win.
ScoreboardPakistan A I. Farhat c. M. Nadeem b A. Nadeem 8; Salman Butt run out 66; S. Malik run out 49; Saeed bin Nasir lbw Afzal 40; Naveed Ul Hassan b Leon 10; Atiquzzaman c Abdullah b Asim 42; Yasir Arafat c Abdullah b Asim 24; Junaid Zia c Tauqir b Asim 2; Farhan Adil c Tauqir b Nadeem 1; Danish not out 3; Najaf c Tauqir b Asim 1. Extras 20 (w12, lb3, nb5). Total 266 in 49.5 oversFall of wickets: 1-23, 2-104, 3-174, 4-185, 5-188, 6-247, 7-261, 8-261, 9-263 10-266Bowling: A. Nadeem 10-0-42-2; Asim Saeed 9.5-1-37-4; LCarlo 10-0-66-1; M.Tauqeer 10-0-48-0; M. Afzal 10-0-70-1
UAEAsim Zubair b Naveed 0; Asim Saeed b Naveed 10, Fahad Usman lbw Naveed 0; Naeemuddin b Naveed 9; M. Afzal b Arafat 29; Abdullah b Naveed 1; A. Nadeem b 19; M. Tauqir c Imran b Junaid 1; M. Nadeem c Atiq b Arafat 8; Ausaf Ali b Arafat 4; L. Carlo not out 5; Extras 25 (lb5, nb 7; w3) Total 106 in 24.1 oversFall of wickets: 1-1; 2-1; 3-25; 4-30; 5-40; 6-73; 7-79; 8-101; 9-105; 10-106.Bowling: Naveed Ul Hassan 7-2-23-5; Najaf Shah 6-0-21-0; Junaid Zia 6-0-33-1; Yasir 5.1-0-24-4.Umpires: Prem Mishra and Arshad Ansari; Match referee: Mushtaq Mohammed.Man of the match: Naveed Ul Hassan
Gulf News 2003
