Saleem guides Panthers Veterans to victory

KARACHI: Opener Saleem Elahi’s brilliant knock of 86 guided Pakistan Panthers Veterans to four-wicket victory over Hermanus Veterans at in the second match of their tour of South Africa.

According to the information made available by the Pakistan Veterans Cricket Association (PVCA) here on Wednesday, Pakistan Panthers Veterans dominated the game held at Hermanus, a town on the southern coast of the Western Cape.

Saleem, who represented Pakistan in 13 Tests and 48 One-day Internationals from 1995 to 2004, played a counter-attacking innings, enabling them to successfully chase down the target of 186 in 30 overs.

He kept the scoreboard moving by striking a dozen powerful boundaries although wickets fell regularly at the other end. It was his second half century in as many games.

After his dismissal, Bilal Khilji contributed a sedate 20 and Mohammad Hafeez played aggressively for his unbeaten 25, which included one six and three fours, taking the visitors home in the final over with four wickets in hand. Kamal Ghani was the other not out batsman with 13.

Hermanus Veterans had scored 185 for eight in the allotted 30 overs with opener Cano Hamerberg leading the way with 67 and number three Stephen making 55, in which he struck four sixes and three fours.

Pakistan Panthers Veterans pulled it back through Syed Asim Jah, who took three wickets.

The 13-member Panthers squad, captained by Ashiq Hussain Qureshi, has proceeded to South Africa on the invitation Western Province Cricket Association to play four 30-overs matches.

The opening match of the tour, against George Veterans, ended in a tie. They will be playing a couple of more matches.