World Stars Captain Shahid Afridi plays a shot against Qatar Stars at the held at the Asian Town Cricket Stadium on Friday. Pictures by Kammutty VP / The Peninsula
Former Pakistani spinner Saeed Ajmal led a star cast with match figures of 4 for 29 to assure a thrilling three-wicket win for World Stars against the Qatar Stars at the Asian Town Cricket Stadium in Doha on Friday.
The impressive figures also earned him the Man of the Match award in the blockbuster, organized by PRO Events, How Automobile Centre and Stepco Group, in collaboration with the Ministry of Culture.
Batting first, the World Stars scored 145 for 7 at the end of the 20 overs. Former Afghanistan skipper Nawroz Mangal hit a quick-fire 42 which came in just 23 deliveries. Mangal’s knock included three hits over the rope.
The World Stars’ innings was also fed by two good knocks by Ilyas (29) and a 19-ball 28, compiled by the Pakistani hero Shahid Afridi who led the visiting team in Doha amidst a full house of spectators.
Afridi entertained the crowd with two massive sixes and a boundary during his innings while the former South African superstar Herschelle Gibbs also played his part well with a 23-run knock which consisted of five boundaries before the completion of 20 overs.
Bala Ji and H Nadeem were the pick of the bowlers for the home team with match-figures of 2 for 11 and 2 or 25 respectively.
Pakistani star Umar Akmal paved the way for a strong reply on Qatari Stars’ behalf, putting 22 runs on the board. After his opening partner, Kamran departed for 2 runs, Faisal joined the run feast. The duo put up a 22-run stand for the third wicket before Akmal departed for 21.
Then the veteran Pakistani off spinner Ajmal began his hunt for wickets at the Asian Town Stadium. He bowled Asim out for 8, then got rid of Asad for one. C. H Iqbal was Ajmal’s third victim, bowled for 10 and he went on to complete his four overs with one more wicket, Taimoor for 10, stumped by wicketkeeper Rizlan, to leave Qatar Stars in trouble.
Ilyas bagged 2 for 29 while the tall Pakistani speedster Sohail Tanvir, Graham Onions and Afridi accounted for one wicket each as Qatar fell short of three runs at the end of 20 overs.
Ajmal was named Man of the Match for his four-wicket scalp.
