The highly rated Pakistan & Indian teams marched ahead in the ongoing 6 Nations cricket tournament organized by Kuwait Cricket at the new look Sulaibiya ground.
On the second day of this prestigious event, Pakistan completely outclassed new comers Afghanistan by 153 runs in the first game of the evening as they batting first scored a mammoth 220 runs for the loss of 6 wickets in their allotted 20 overs. The highlight of Pakistan innings was a masterly knock of 132 in just 58 balls by Irfan who stole the limelight of the session by awesome power play in which he clouted 12 huge sixes & 6 hits to the ropes. Irfan was at his very best as he struck a rhythm by moving his feet to the pitch of the deliveries and timing the cherry sweetly. A copy book on-drive was the shot of the day. Muladad was the pick of the Afghanistan bowlers capturing 3 for 26 in his 4 overs.
In reply, Afghanistan, clearly a team with fighting spirits went down tamely to the hostile spell of fast bowling from their much experienced counterpart. Mohammed Miwais was the only batsman to counter the Pakistan attack by scoring a polished 39 runs with 2 sixes & 3 boundaries.
Saad Khalid, the right arm medium pacer of Pakistan team and a regular figure in Kuwait’s National team, turned out to record a stunning bowling figures of 2-2-0-3 and well supported by another youngster Abdul Jabbar who took 3 wickets for 4 runs. Hisham Mirza and Haroon captured two wickets each for Pakistan. Irfan was rightly declared Player of the match for his scintillating batting performance.
In the second match of the evening session, India comfortably prevailed over the young Kuwaiti side by a margin of 189 runs to advance further. Kuwait captain Mahmoud Bastaki won the toss and send India to bat first.
Usman the talented Indian batsman whacked a hurricane 65 runs with I six & 9 fours and along with Rameez posted a 122 runs partnership for the 3rd wicket. Rameez was on the rampage from the word go and his 41 balls knock of 87 runs had 5 sixes & 5 fours. The stylish Rameez stroked confidently and danced down the track to clout the spinners with nimble foot work and precise timing to help the Indian team to post 234 runs on board. Tariq Beidas, the Kuwaiti all- rounder with a distinction of being the first Kuwaiti Level I umpire and acquiring his basic cricketing skills from New Zealand during his graduation days bowled well to take 2-42 in four overs. Fahad Bastaki & Mohammed Al-Otaibi took a wicket each.
Kuwait team put up a brave show and with whatever experience they had countered the Indian attack but their resistance faded away to the spinning attack of young Mohit Philip who spun a web around the Kuwait batsmen to account for 3 wickets for just 4 runs. Allwyn & Meezan shared 2 wickets each to skittle Kuwait ream for 35 runs. Rameez was declared Player of the match for this spectacular batting display.
28 March 2014 18:00 India Sri Lanka
28 March 2014 21:00 Pakistan Bangladesh