Aizaz Cheema rips through WAPDA with brilliant bowling display
Before the seventh round of the Quaid-e-Azam Trophy 2010-11, Water and Power Development Authority (WAPDA) was on the top of the Division One table, but they slipped to second spot after a middle-order collapse against http://www.senore.com/Cricket/Pakistan-International-Airlines-c831 (PIA).
PIA defeated WAPDA by 18 runs on the final day at the Marghzar Cricket Ground Islambad, after an inspirational performance by fast bowler Aizaz Cheema.
WAPDA captain Rana Naveed won the toss and sent PIA in to bat in bowler friendly conditions. PIA did not have the services of their premier player Shoaib Malik, as he was busy with his younger brother’s wedding. But PIA displayed a strong batting performance
in trying circumstances, and scored 214 runs in their first innings. PIA was in big trouble at 85 for seven, but Karachi born off-spinner Tahir Khan showed his skills with the bat to score a brilliant 69 off 109 balls, which included 13 boundaries. He remained
unbeaten. The only other notable contribution was from http://www.senore.com/Cricket/Anop-Santosh-c1058 who scored 39 runs.
Former Pakistan Under-19 fast bowler, Azhar Attari took three wickets for WAPDA after conceding just 21 runs in 10 overs. Sarfaraz Ahmed, Umaid Asif and http://www.senore.com/Cricket/Sohaib-Maqsood-c90627 picked up two wickets each, while skipper Rana Naveed picked up a solitary wicket.
In reply WAPDA fought well but was bowled out for 201 in 63.1 overs, conceding a 13-run first innings lead to PIA. Right-handed opener Rafatullah Mohmand was the top-scorer for WAPDA with 57 of 105 balls, which included nine boundaries. Aamer Sajjad was
the other main scorer with 35 runs.
Aizaz Cheema took four wickets and helped PIA a slender first innings lead. Kamran Sajid and Anwar Ali grabbed three wickets each.
In their second innings, PIA put up a strong display with the help of Javed Miandad’s nephew and Faisal Iqbal’s younger brother, Fahad Iqbal who scored a wonderful century batting at number seven. He remained unbeaten and scored 102 of 152 balls, with the
help of 18 boundaries. http://www.senore.com/Cricket/Agha-Sabir-c950 scored 65 for PIA, as declared their innings at 312 runs for the loss of eight wickets.
Sarfaraz Ahmed, http://www.senore.com/Cricket/Umaid-Asif-c2719 and Azhar Attari grabbed two wickets each for WAPDA.
In the final innings of the match, WAPDA needed 326 runs to win the match. At one stage, they looked set to achieve the target with the score at 259 for two. But the middle and lower-middle order collapsed like a house of cards, as Aizaz Cheema ran through
WAPDA’s batting lineup. WAPDA was bowled out for 307 runs, just 19 short of their target.
http://www.senore.com/Cricket/Aizaz-Cheema-c961 was the destructor-in-chief for PIA, grabbing a six-wicket haul. Cheema was ably assisted by Anwar Ali, who chipped in with three wickets. The performance meant Cheema completed his 10-wicket haul for the match.
WAPDA have been quite consistent in their performances this season, but they will be disappointed after being within touching distance of winning their seventh round fixture.
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