Sami’s all-round show in the Grade-II event and also the BPL has improved his chances of a comeback. PHOTO: BPL T20 KARACHI: Port Qasim Authority (PQA) eased into first-class cricket for the first time by winning the Patron’s Trophy Grade-II title against KESC on a first-innings lead at Iqbal Stadium in Faisalabad yesterday.
PQA took a 70-run first-innings lead which proved to be the deciding factor in the match after they started the final day on 376 for nine before being dismissed for 404. Azam Hussain, who started the day on 38, went onto make a 96-ball 61 that included a six and nine fours. Set an imposing target of 475, KESC went all out for the win but could only manage 311 for six in 74 overs.
PQA’s triumph revolved around Mohammad Sami, who scored 250 runs and took 28 wickets in the tournament while Shadab Kabir top-scored with 401 runs. The bowling workload was shared by Azam as he took 34 wickets while Tanveer Ahmed got 16 scalps.
PQA coach Rashid Latif expressed his delight and went onto say that the team will win the Quaid Trophy as well.
“It feels great to guide this excellent side to the top-tier and I’m hopeful we will repeat our heroics there as well,” Latif told The Express Tribune. “We probably have one of the best squads which not even some departments have at their disposal.”
PQA was formed in 2007 and gained promotion in their maiden appearance. However, the Pakistan Cricket Board’s ‘ban’ on promotions forced them to stay in the second division.
“If we would not have been deprived back then, it would’ve been a tremendous achievement that a department side made its place among the big boys within a year of its formation.”
PQA were handed a winning prize of Rs200,000 while KESC got Rs100,000.
Awards
Man of the final
Mohammad Sami
Best batsman
Faizan Khan (525 runs)
Best bowler
Faheem Ahmed (46 wickets)
Best fielder
Fakhar Zaman (15 catches)
Best wicket-keeper
Muhammad Salman (20 dismissals)
Published in The Express Tribune, May 3rd, 2012.
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