A blistering century by Haider Ali, combined with Sharoon Siraj’s all-round performance, propelled Pakistan Shaheens to a commanding 108-run victory over Sri Lanka ‘A’ in the first 50-over clash at the Islamabad Club on Monday.
After being sent into bat, the Shaheens overcame a shaky start to post an imposing total of 305/7 in their 50 overs. Openers Mohammad Huraira (26) and Maaz Sadaqat (11) fell cheaply, but Haider Ali, stepping in at number four, anchored the innings with an explosive knock.
Haider first added 27 runs for the third wicket alongside Sharoon Siraj, who contributed a brisk 42 off 48 balls, including five boundaries. The highlight of the innings, however, was Haider’s 120-run fourth-wicket stand with Abdul Samad. Samad played the perfect foil, scoring a steady 56 off 63 balls with five fours and a six.
Haider’s masterclass—108 off 94 deliveries featuring eight boundaries and six sixes—was the driving force behind the Shaheens’ formidable total. Late-order cameos from Mohammad Haris and Muhammad Imran further bolstered the score.
| Batter | R | B | 4s | 6s | SR |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Muhammad Hurraira (c) | 26 | 41 | 4 | 0 | 63.41 |
| Maaz Sadaqat | 11 | 19 | 2 | 0 | 57.89 |
| Sharoon Siraj | 42 | 48 | 5 | 0 | 87.50 |
| Haider Ali | 108 | 94 | 8 | 6 | 114.89 |
| Abdul Samad | 56 | 63 | 5 | 1 | 88.88 |
| Mohammad Haris † | 36 | 25 | 4 | 1 | 144.00 |
| Mohammad Imran | 15 | 10 | 2 | 0 | 150.00 |
| Sirajuddin | 0 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0.00 |
| Mehran Mumtaz | 1 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 100.00 |
| Extras | 11 | ||||
| Total (50 Ov) | 306/7 | RR: 6.12 |
Did Not Bat: Mohammad Imran, Ubaid Shah
Fall of Wickets: 1-20 (Maaz Sadaqat, 5.6 ov), 2-67 (Muhammad Hurraira, 14.6 ov), 3-94 (Sharoon Siraj, 19.3 ov), 4-214 (Abdul Samad, 39.1 ov), 5-266 (Haider Ali, 46.1 ov), 6-303 (Mohammad Imran, 49.3 ov), 7-303 (Sirajuddin, 49.4 ov).
In response, Sri Lanka ‘A’ faltered, managing only 198 in 39.4 overs. Despite Chamindu Wickramasinghe’s valiant 47 and contributions from Sonal Dinusha (38) and Sahan Arachchige (35), the visitors fell well short of the target.
Sharoon Siraj was exceptional with the ball, returning figures of 3/21 to dismantle Sri Lanka’s batting lineup. Mohammad Imran Jnr claimed two scalps, while Ubaid Shah, Sirajuddin, Mehran Mumtaz, and Mohammad Imran picked up a wicket each.
| Bowler | O | M | R | W | ECON | WD | NB |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Mohammad Imran | 8 | 1 | 30 | 2 | 3.75 | 3 | 0 |
| Ubaid Shah | 8 | 1 | 43 | 1 | 5.37 | 1 | 0 |
| Sirajuddin | 2.4 | 0 | 16 | 1 | 6.00 | 4 | 0 |
| Mohammad Imran Jnr | 7 | 0 | 25 | 1 | 3.57 | 0 | 0 |
| Maaz Sadaqat | 0.2 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0.00 | 0 | 0 |
| Mehran Mumtaz | 9 | 0 | 61 | 1 | 6.77 | 0 | 0 |
| Sharoon Siraj | 4.4 | 0 | 21 | 3 | 4.50 | 0 | 0 |
For his game-changing century, Haider Ali was deservedly named Player of the Match, showcasing his ability to dominate on the big stage.
The Shaheens will look to carry this momentum into the remaining matches of the series as they aim for a clean sweep against Sri Lanka A.
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