Asad says Balochistan will live up to expectations

Asad says Balochistan will live up to expectations

KARACHI: Balochistan skipper Asad Shafiq on Friday said that his side was well-balanced and would live up to the expectations in the Pakistan Cup 2019 which would begin at the Pindi Stadium, Rawalpindi, on April 2.

“We have a very good team for the 50-over format. The tournament is a big opportunity for all the players to prove their worth,” Asad said.

He was keen on motivating his team with Pakistan selection due for the ICC World Cup 2019 at the end of the tournament. The Test batsman also asked his side’s fans to pray for the team’s success. “We will try our best to win the tournament. The event is very well-planned since the World Cup squad will be announced after the tournament ends. The performers have an opportunity of getting selected for the coveted event,” Asad added.

Federal Areas will defend the title. Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, Sindh, Punjab and Balochistan are the other teams in the tournament. All 11 matches will be played at the Pindi Cricket Stadium, with the top two sides from the single-league competition progressing to the April 12 final.

Balochistan failed to make it to the final in the 2018 edition but had come very close to winning the title in the 2017 edition before losing to the Federal Areas by one wicket off the last-ball. They won two matches in the 2016 edition but failed to reach the final.

For the 2019 edition Balochistan have a solid batting line-up with the hugely experienced Asad set to be the guiding force. Asad, a veteran of 69 Tests, 60 ODIs and 10 T20Is, has amassed 4444 runs in 122 List A matches.

The middle-order also has left-handed Fawad Alam, who also has rich experience, while left-hander Awais Zia provides fire-power at the top. Balochistan also have explosive Umar Akmal in their batting ranks. He will join the side following Pakistan’s ODI series against Australia in the United Arab Emirates.

Quetta-born wicket-keeper batsman Bismillah Khan will be hoping to build on his success in the Pakistan Cup 2018 edition. The right-hander, representing Balochistan, scored 239 runs at 59.75 in four games at an impressive strike-rate of 120.70.

Balochistan also have an exciting bowling line-up with Lahore Qalandar’s pace sensation Haris Rauf, who is expected to lead the pace attack, which also has Mohammad Irfan Sr, Taj Wali and Ghulam Mudassar.

Mudassar performed admirably in the Pakistan Cup 2017, taking seven wickets in four games for Balochistan to finish fourth on the bowling chart. Umar Khan, who was adjudged Emerging Player of HBL PSL 2019, will be keen on making a big impression with his left-arm spin bowling.

Squad: Asad Shafiq (captain), Ali Imran, Ammad Butt, Awais Zia, Bismillah Khan (WK), Fawad Alam, Ghulam Mudassar, Haris Rauf, Mohammad Irfan Sr, Qaiser Ashraf, Taj Wali, Umar Khan, Umer Akmal, Waqar Hussain (WK), Zeeshan Ashraf.

Article source: https://www.thenews.com.pk/print/450644-asad-says-balochistan-will-live-up-to-expectations