Lahore, Sept 15 (TNS): Ahmad Shahzad’s blistering knock followed by some impressive bowling helped Pakistan seal iconic Independence Cup with 33-run victory over World XI on Friday. What a series it has been for cricket as Pakistan have hosted their first internationals since 2015, and we’ve seen brilliant batting and bowling along the way.
The hosts have been superb both on and off the field, and just to make things all that bit sweeter, Afridi and Misbah got to say their goodbyes to the adoring crowds. For World XI, a series of many positives but just a lack of team cohesion at crucial times may well have cost them. However, the series result wasn’t the most important thing here, and they can all go home with their heads held high.
The day started with the visitors captain Faf du Plessis winning the toss and opting to bowl first. The Green Caps produced another brilliant performance with the bat, courtesy Shahzad’s 89 off just 55 balls with the help eight fours and three sixes, as Pakistan posted more than competitive 183 for the loss of four wickets in their allotted 20 overs. For World XI, Perera was the pick of the bowlers as he claimed two wickets and gave away 37 in his four overs.
In reply, the visiting team had a solid start but kept losing wickets at regular intervals and was eventually restricted to 150 for the loss of eight wickets in their 20 overs. All-rounder Perera and South African David Miller finished with the top score of 32 each, whereas opener Hashim Amla scored 21 at the top of the innings.
For Pakistan, pacer Hasan Ali was the pick of the bowlers as he claimed two wickets and just gave away 28 runs in his four overs.
