By Frederick Halley
PAKISTAN became the first team to qualify for the final of the International Masters Cricket (IMC) Over-40 World Cup after registering a thrilling two-wicket victory over England at the Guyana National Stadium yesterday.
In a relatively low-scoring affair, the Pakistanis huffed and puffed their way to the required 206, losing eight wickets in the process, with their lower-order displaying determination and grit after they were in a spot of bother at 120 for five in the 22nd over in the 45-over affair.
The Pakistanis now await the winners of the second semi-final, between defending champions South Africa and Australia, which will be played at the same venue today.
In what can be described as an innings of two halves, which saw opener Fahad Jabbar standing tall with an innings of 51, which included six fours and a six, England fought back really well to leave the game wide open.
The consistent Sheharyar Ghani (48) however stood firm with another fine knock of 48, holding the middle-order together.
Ghani’s departure at 174 for seven in the 35th over, left the game wide open but Waseem Ali with a matured 30, partnered with Syed Fariduddin to add a valuable 24 for the eighth wicket.
Despite Ali’s departure, Faridduddin, with an undefeated 17 and Muhammad Khali (five not out) stood firm as the Pakistanis deservedly earned their spot in the final.
Ben Frazer (two for 26), Johny Wightman (two for 30) and Iresh Saxena (two for 36) were the main wicket-takers for England.
Earlier, England was somewhat subdued in their innings, reaching what seemed an inadequate 205 for nine when their 45 overs expired.
Ryan Canning, batting at number seven, upped the tempo somewhat with a 61-ball 53 which included three fours and a six while opener James Duffy scored 43 with four fours.
There were two wickets each for Waseem Ali, Mian Muhammad, Faridduddian and Tariq Mahmood.
Led by a brilliant 143 from Jason Mohamed, West Indies, who missed out on a semi-final spot after finishing fifth in the preliminary rounds, exacted revenge on the Rest of the Caribbean (ROC) at the GCC ground, Bourda in their Plate quarter-final.
Opting to bat first after winning the toss, the West Indies rattled up 356 for seven in their 45 overs before limiting ROC to 227 for eight when their 45 overs expired.
Mohamed, who surpassed 500 runs in the process, spanked 13 fours and three sixes, sharing a fourth-wicket stand of 150 with opener Randy Thomas who stoked 69 with five fours and two sixes.
ROC were never really up to the challenge although Andrew Lyght Jnr, hit 49 with two fours and four sixes and Asif Chan scored 40 with five fours. Mohamed crowned a fine all-round performance with four for 52.
Canada, who finished the preliminary rounds at number six, withstood the challenge of number 11 Namibia to win by 40 runs at the Everest Cricket Club ground.
Batting first, Canada was dismissed in the final over for 227 with Nitin Gosain hitting five fours in a top score of 54. Nicholas Buys took three for 56.
Henry Hayes, with a spirited 68 which included one four and five sixes and skipper Gerrie Snyman (49 with three fours and four sixes) led the way for Namibians.
Gosain returned to claim four for 36 to easily claim the man-of-the-match award.
India defeated Scotland by 89 runs at the Police Sports Club ground, Eve Leary. Set a challenging 312 after India reached 311 for nine, Scotland was dismissed for 221 in 41 overs. Opener Kyle Coetzer hit 51 for Scotland.
When India batted, they were led to their fine total through 76 from Sudheesh Thulaseedharran, 55 from Pankaj Dhuldhoye and 53 from Bhupeder Yadav.
USA provided the lone upset of the day, inflicting a narrow three-run defeat over New Zealand at the Enmore Community Centre ground. After restricting USA to 171 for seven, New Zealand fared even worse and were skittled out for 168 off the last ball of the match.
Half centuries from Greg Johnson (52) and Alan Burton (50) weren’t enough to earn the Kiwis victory as Nadeem Williams grabbed five for 25 in his nine overs. Natwar Agarwal led the way for USA with an undefeated 52.
Wales defeated Rest of the World (ROW) by four wickets at Malteenoes, reaching 210 for six in 41.1 overs after ROW was limited to 206 for six, taking first strike.
The winners were indebted to half centuries from Dan Rowe (62) and Atif Qureshi (59) with Khengar Ahir taking two for 41 for the losers.
Hasham Khan’s splendid 90, spiced with 11 fours was in vain for ROW as Simon Jones picked up three for 33.
