Pakistan Shaheens showcased their cricket prowess with a commanding 224-run victory against Papua New Guinea (PNG) at the DXC Arena in Darwin on August 08.
In a thrilling 50-over match, emerging talent Faisal Akram stole the limelight by securing an impressive five-wicket haul. The dynamic trio of Faisal Akram, Arafat Minhas, and Azan Awais played pivotal roles in propelling the Shaheens to an authoritative triumph.
Opting to bat first, the Shaheens’ opening duo, Azan Awais and Shamyl Hussain, set the stage with an impressive 86-run partnership for the initial wicket. Shamyl’s explosive 45 off 45 balls, embellished with seven elegant boundaries, added flair to the innings.
READ MORE: France Ends Morocco’s Run; Colombia Advances in Women’s World Cup
Although Captain Rohail Nazir departed early after scoring 2 runs off 5 balls, Azan Awais exhibited his skill with a finely crafted 72 runs from 94 deliveries, including six boundaries. Supported by Wahaj Riaz’s valuable contribution of 36 runs, the Shaheens maintained momentum and reached a commendable 170/4 in 30.4 overs.
Shawaiz Irfan and Muhammad Irfan Khan’s contributions of 13 and 41 runs respectively, along with Arafat Minhas’ scorching 56 off 34 balls, propelled the Shaheens’ total to an imposing 323 runs. Minhas’ blazing innings, marked by seven boundaries and a magnificent six, pushed the team into an unassailable position. His partnership of 74 runs with Ahmed Khan (31 runs) for the seventh wicket further dismantled the PNG bowling attack.
Despite Charles Amini’s valiant efforts, securing three crucial wickets for 61 runs, the star-studded Shaheens batting display overshadowed the PNG bowlers.
READ MORE: Qatar Classic Welcomes Women’s Draw After 8-Year Gap
In response, PNG faced a daunting challenge from the outset, losing wickets at regular intervals. The relentless Shaheens bowlers, led by left-arm wrist spinner Faisal Akram, wreaked havoc with an extraordinary five-wicket haul, conceding a mere 17 runs in five overs.
Akram’s spell included an impressive 22 dot balls, effectively stifling PNG’s run-scoring opportunities. Fast bowlers Ahmed (3 wickets for 43 runs in 6 overs) and Amir Hassan (2 wickets for 24 runs in 6 overs) complemented Akram’s brilliance, ensuring PNG was bundled out for a mere 99 runs in 22 overs.
This resounding victory paves the way for an exciting encounter between the Shaheens and the Northern Territory Strikes at the same venue in a day-night clash on August 09.
READ MORE: Budapest’s Medal Designs Shine for Athletics Championships 2023
