T20 spectacle provides plenty of positives
KARACHI: The cricketing extravaganza that was the Faysal Bank Super Eight T20 tournament has brought a number of talented players into the limelight.
And with the conclusion of the event, around eight to ten players have emerged as potential contenders for a spot in the national T20 team.
Topping that list is Karachi Dolphins’ Rameez Raja Jr, who wowed the viewers with his scintillating batting to top the scoring charts.
Sialkot Stallions’ Ali Khan left a massive impact on the selectors with his powerful hitting. A player with similar qualities to him was Hyderabad Hawks’ Sharjeel Khan, who helped his side to fight with the likes of Sialkot Stallions and Multan Tigers.
Rawalpindi Rams’ Awais Zia was touted by ‘The News’ to play a starring role for his side and he just did that with his explosive hitting to help his team become the national T20 champions for the first time.
Four spinners who impressed with their guile and composure were Raza Hasan, Haris Ayaz, Zulfiqar Babar and Zahid Mehmood.
Rams’ Raza Hasan can turn the ball on any surface and that too with pace, which can be very difficult for any batsman to judge.
Hyderabad Hawks’ leg-spinner Zahid Mehmood was impressive with his variety of leg-breaks, googly and flippers.
Meanwhile, the other two spinners Haris Ayaz and Zulfiqar Babar have crossed their 30’s but yet are immaculate with the ball in their hands. Multan Tigers’ left-arm spinner Babar can be a handy Test bowler considering the loop he gives in order to invite batsmen to attack him.
Dolphins’ off-spinner Haris Ayaz was outstanding in every department. He chipped in with wickets to fulfill his primary job, while he also contributed useful runs. His catch in the final was one of the best ever taken by a Pakistani fielder.
Among the quickies, there was not much to speak about because old horses Sohail Khan and Mohammad Sami were the best by a long margin. Only Sialkot Stallions’ Umaid Asif was impressive among the new comers.
Both Sami and Sohail Khan are looking to stage a comeback and they were outstanding, as they generated serious pace on the dead pitches and introduced varieties when required.
Meanhile, the tall Umaid Asif was too good on the slow pitches of Faisalabad, as he was quick of the wicket. He has shown his potential because if a bowler can hurry onto the bat on such slow pitches, he can be a destructive weapon on quicker wickets.
Among the wicket-keepers, Dolphins’ Sarfraz Ahmed and Rams’ Jamal Anwar were way ahead of rest of the others.
These players have done their bid and the rest is up to the selectors. Now all what they need is an opportunity to prove themselves on the international level.
The PCB, however, failed to realise that the umpires of Lahore were standing in the matches of their city and the umpires of Karachi in the encounters of Dolphins in the semifinals and final because of their lack of planning, as the board placed the officials before the start of the tournament.
But in the end it turned to be an eventful tournament, which brought joy to millions of cricket fanatics in the country.
Most importantly, though, the PCB succeeded in putting up a good show because of strict security measures to send a message to International teams that Pakistan is safe to play cricket.
And with the conclusion of the event, around eight to ten players have emerged as potential contenders for a spot in the national T20 team.
Topping that list is Karachi Dolphins’ Rameez Raja Jr, who wowed the viewers with his scintillating batting to top the scoring charts.
Sialkot Stallions’ Ali Khan left a massive impact on the selectors with his powerful hitting. A player with similar qualities to him was Hyderabad Hawks’ Sharjeel Khan, who helped his side to fight with the likes of Sialkot Stallions and Multan Tigers.
Rawalpindi Rams’ Awais Zia was touted by ‘The News’ to play a starring role for his side and he just did that with his explosive hitting to help his team become the national T20 champions for the first time.
Four spinners who impressed with their guile and composure were Raza Hasan, Haris Ayaz, Zulfiqar Babar and Zahid Mehmood.
Rams’ Raza Hasan can turn the ball on any surface and that too with pace, which can be very difficult for any batsman to judge.
Hyderabad Hawks’ leg-spinner Zahid Mehmood was impressive with his variety of leg-breaks, googly and flippers.
Meanwhile, the other two spinners Haris Ayaz and Zulfiqar Babar have crossed their 30’s but yet are immaculate with the ball in their hands. Multan Tigers’ left-arm spinner Babar can be a handy Test bowler considering the loop he gives in order to invite batsmen to attack him.
Dolphins’ off-spinner Haris Ayaz was outstanding in every department. He chipped in with wickets to fulfill his primary job, while he also contributed useful runs. His catch in the final was one of the best ever taken by a Pakistani fielder.
Among the quickies, there was not much to speak about because old horses Sohail Khan and Mohammad Sami were the best by a long margin. Only Sialkot Stallions’ Umaid Asif was impressive among the new comers.
Both Sami and Sohail Khan are looking to stage a comeback and they were outstanding, as they generated serious pace on the dead pitches and introduced varieties when required.
Meanhile, the tall Umaid Asif was too good on the slow pitches of Faisalabad, as he was quick of the wicket. He has shown his potential because if a bowler can hurry onto the bat on such slow pitches, he can be a destructive weapon on quicker wickets.
Among the wicket-keepers, Dolphins’ Sarfraz Ahmed and Rams’ Jamal Anwar were way ahead of rest of the others.
These players have done their bid and the rest is up to the selectors. Now all what they need is an opportunity to prove themselves on the international level.
The PCB, however, failed to realise that the umpires of Lahore were standing in the matches of their city and the umpires of Karachi in the encounters of Dolphins in the semifinals and final because of their lack of planning, as the board placed the officials before the start of the tournament.
But in the end it turned to be an eventful tournament, which brought joy to millions of cricket fanatics in the country.
Most importantly, though, the PCB succeeded in putting up a good show because of strict security measures to send a message to International teams that Pakistan is safe to play cricket.
Published by Unknown
on 11:18.
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