K-Electric take on KPT today

KARACHI: A tough fight is expected as hot favourites K-Electric meet equally balanced Karachi Port Trust (KPT) in the three-day semi-final of the Patron’s Trophy Grade-II here at National Stadium on Tuesday (today).
The game had been pencilled in for March 30 to April 1 at Jinnah Stadium, Sialkot, but was rescheduled after all the three days were hit by rain. Not a single ball was delivered.
The inclement weather forced the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) to shift the game to Karachi along with the final.
In the other rain-hit semi-final, held in the same days at LCCA Ground, Lahore, Omar Associates defeated Khayaban-e-Amin on the basis of first innings lead due to destructive bowling from left-arm Test pacer Mohammad Amir, who grabbed 6-47.
K-Electric have the services of some good batsmen, including left-handed promising opener Israrullah, solid Saad Ali, Behram Khan, Saud Shakeel, Majid Khan and Ramiz Raja.
Their pace duo of Mir Hamza and Taj Wali has the capability to disturb the opponents with their tidy bowling, while their leg-spinner Shahzaib Ahmed and experienced left-arm spinner Faraz Ahmad are also expected to do well.
KPT will rely mainly on pacers Adeel Malik, Babar Rehman and left-armer Bilawal.
Left-arm spinner Nabeel Malik and leggie Mansoor Ahmed are also in fine form.
They will expect solid contribution in batting from Nadeem Javed, skipper and gloveman Mohammad Hassan, Anas Mahmood, Faisal Khan, Faraz Patel, Raza Ali Dar and Shah Ali Zafar.
KPT’s coach Mahmood Rasheed said it would be a tough match. “Both sides are equal; I think it will be a good match,” Mahmood told ‘The News’ on Monday.
He was quick to add that K-Electric had an edge over KPT in spin-attack. “K-Electric spinners are experienced while we have an edge over them in pace bowling,” the coach said.
Mahmood said had the semi-final been played in Punjab it would have been much better for his team. “You know, shifting of the match from Sialkot to Karachi really matters. You know there is bounce in Punjab’s tracks, while Karachi is totally different. The team had got rhythm in Punjab,” Mahmood said.
He added that the toss would be crucial. “The first session is always important and if you get a few quick wickets earlier on or your top order batsmen provide you a solid foundation then it helps you,” said Mahmood, a former first-class cricketer.
K-Electric Manager Mujtaba Hussain said both were equal teams. “I cannot say who will win as both are balanced sides,” Mujtaba said.
He added the first innings would be crucial. “I think the first innings will be vital for both sides as it is normally difficult to complete two innings each inside three days when two equally balanced sides compete,” the official said.
He expects some life in the National Stadium wicket. “The venue has not hosted any match for a long time and I hope there will be some grass on the pitch. The morning session will be important,” he said.
He said the fitness level of his players was fairly good. “We are lucky to have a trainer like Imran who is the second most qualified trainer in Pakistan. He has done a lot of work on the boys and they are in fine shape,” Mujtaba said.