Omar Associates pip Canada Seniors in thriller

KARACHI: Omar Associates Seniors overcame strong resistance from the visiting Canada Seniors cricket team to register a narrow two-run victory in an absorbing contest here at the Aga Khan University Ground the other day.

Canada Seniors, who had lost their earlier two games against Sui Southern Gas Company (SSGC) and Rashid Latif Cricket Academy (RLCA), produced improved all-round performance to give the formidable Omar Associates outfit a run for their money.

Batting first after winning the toss, Omar Associates posted a competitive 215 for eight off 25 overs mainly due to the century scored by opener Iqbal Shaikh, who clobbered three sixes and 14 fours in his 100 off 66 balls. As the Canadians bowled tightly, the next highest contribution of 27 came from Adnan Kaleem, who struck five fours in his 18-ball knock.

Omar Associates appeared poised for a bigger total after reaching 150 for the loss of only two wickets. But leg-spinner Taha Badar (2-32) bowled superbly and skipper Humayun Wahab returned to claim a couple of wickets with his medium-pace in the latter part of the innings to control the damage.

Canada got off to a flyer with opener Ansar Khan blasting four sixes and three fours in his whirlwind 40 off just 17 balls. Salman Shah sustained the momentum with his 60 off 43 balls before being run out.

Useful contributions from Rafiullah (27 off 18 balls), Rizwan Qayyum (25 off 23 balls) and Kashif Mehar (21 off 27 balls) kept the contest alive. The visitors seemed inching towards their first victory of the tour when Talal Iqbal stroked unbeaten 26 off 16 balls only to be denied by a whisker. Left-arm spinner Rashid Hanif (2-24) was the pick of the Omar Associates bowlers as the Canadians were restricted to 213 for eight off 25 overs.

The Canadians, having undertaken tours of Pakistan in 2017 and 2018, have completed Karachi leg of the visit and they will now be proceeding to Lahore to play three matches before returning to Toronto on March 5.