Tuesday, December 19th, 2023

KASHIF EARNS PRESIDENT’S TROPHY SPOT AND HITS HALF CENTURY ON DEBUT

Kashif Ali is playing four-day cricket in the seven team President’s Trophy in Pakistan and scored a half century on the final day to help Ghani Glass earn a draw against Sui Northern Gas Pipelines Limited (SNGPL).

The Worcestershire batter came to the wicket at number three late on the third day and his side were reduced to 2-2 chasing a 409 target, after his ex Worcestershire team-mate, Azhar Ali, had hit a century.

But Kashif dug in for more than three hours in making 59 off 115 balls with 10 boundaries.

He put on 92 for the third wicket with Tayyab Tahir (60) before he was bowled by Pakistan T20I player Mubasir Khan after 188 minutes in the middle.

An unbeaten century from Saad Nasim and 55 from Mohammad Irfan enabled Ghani Glass to close on 300-6.

Kashif has been signed by Ghani Glass for the tournament which is played on a round robin basis until the end of January.

It is being staged at three stadiums in Karachi with the top two teams then meeting in a five-day final from January 27 to 31.

Kashif confirmed: “I am playing first class cricket in Pakistan. It’s a very good competition with a lot of four-day games in a short period.

“It’s a good standard and excellent in terms of preparation for the new season and it was nice to see Azhar.”

In the first innings, Kashif batted at number three and was dismissed for 21 off 35 balls with four boundaries as Ghani Glass were bowled out for 253 in reply to SNGPL’s 371-7 declared.

Azhar scored a second innings century as SNGPL declared on 290-7.

Kashif was unbeaten on 20 from 59 balls with three boundaries at the end of day three in a total of 38-2 and continued his good work on the final day.

Elsewhere – in the Australian KFC Big Bash League – Adam Hose hit a match winning six for the Adelaide Strikers who chased down a target of 200 with two balls to spare.

Hose finished  on 28 from 9 balls which included 6 boundaries in his side’s win against the Sydney Thunder.