Miandad takes the field in warm-up tie (6 November 1998)

6 November 1998

Miandad takes the field in warm-up tie

By Our Sports Reporter

KARACHI, Nov 5: Javed Miandad took a step forward towards in what seems to be an inevitable comeback as Pakistan cricketers geared up for the three-match One-day International series against Australia with a useful warm-up match against Combined Eleven at the Karachi Gymkhana here on Thursday.

Miandad, who retired after playing in a record sixth World Cup, batted at No 11 and scored eight not out. He later fielded for eight overs before returning to the dressing room.

The match, however, ended in no-result as both the captains decided to call of the proceedings after Combined Eleven reached 156 for six in 35 overs in reply to Pakistan's 283 in 50 overs.

"I will not be playing against Australia," he emphasised, adding: "But I might stage a comeback if the youngsters failed to impress. I am always available to serve my country."

Miandad maintained that he played because he wanted to pass on some useful tips to the bowlers and the batsmen right on the spot. Miandad was first positioned at gully by skipper Aamir Sohail and was later switched to mid-off.

Not only Miandad appeared as a player, but he also spent sometime as an umpire and also gave Shahid Afridi the benefit of doubt after turning down a confident caught behind appeal.

Afridi went on to score 43 but it was Salim Elahi who top scored with 97 before retiring with food poisoning. Aamir Sohail (43) and Ijaz Ahmad (44) also spent useful time in the centre.

When the Combined Eleven batted, their innings was dominated by Azhar Mahmood who scored a quick fire 52. Hasan Raza showed his class with five punishing boundaries before being dismissed for 37. Azam Khan, carrying injury in his left palm, scored 33.

Source :: Dawn (https://dawn.com/)