Shahid, Taufiq propel HBL into final

Shahid Afridi geared up for this month's Sharjah Cup with an electrifying knock that set up a comfortable 139-run victory for Habib Bank over Wapda in the National One-day Championship semifinal at the National Stadium Tuesday.

Shahid clobbered 13 boundaries and three sixes in a 63-ball 86 and featured in a 153-run first wicket stand with Taufiq Umer (90) to help the bankers amass 306 from 50 overs. The two young guns belted 120 from the first 15 overs.

Wapda, lucky to be playing the knock-out match of the premier competition, were shot out for 167 in 46.5 overs with seamer Sajid Shah picking up four for 33.

Shahid added another couple of wickets to his name to share the Man-of-the-Match award with Taufiq who has scored heavily and consistently since the selectors dropped him from the Sharjah tour.

Flambouyant Shahid, playing his first match in the competition, made a cautious start when he scored six runs from the first 16 balls with two scoring shots. But the charismatic allrounder turned ruthless and devastating when he reached his half century off 35 balls laced with 10 boundaries and a six.

Shahid was severe on Pakistan Under-19 paceman Waqas Ahmad who conceded 50 runs from his four overs. He didn't come into action again.

Capitalizing on a missed stumping when 42 but failed to convert his 86 into century when he holed out to Kashif Rasheed off Aqeel at mid-wicket. Aqeel finished with two for 63. But left-handed Taufiq kept a cool head on his shoulder. His 85-ball innings of controlled aggression included 10 boundaries and a six.

Salim Elahi, who replaced Shahid, further mauled a below-par Wapda attack by slamming 78 off 83 balls with five boundaries. He, however, failed to throw his bat around in the slog overs when he was run-out after a mix-up with Younis Khan.

The bankers failed to cash in on the perfect platform set by the top order when they could add only 64 runs in the last ten overs while losing six wickets.

Younis, a permanent one-down batsman for Pakistan, surprisingly came out at No 6 as Habib Bank named four openers in its lineup. Furthermore, skipper Ijaz Ahmad promoted himself to No 4.

Younis didn't take the field under lights complaining of a back trouble. It is to be seen if he regains complete fitness for the April 4 final against PIA and then for the Sharjah tournament starting April 8 and also including Sri Lanka and New Zealand.