Tag: Mohammad Naeem

LAHORE: A blistering half-century from Mohammad Naeem propelled Lahore Qalandars to a commanding victory over Multan Sultans in a rain-shortened Pakistan Super League (PSL) 11 clash at the Gaddafi Stadium on Friday.

In a contest reduced to 13 overs per side due to persistent rain, the Qalandars produced a batting masterclass to post a daunting 185-5 after being put into bat by Sultans skipper Ashton Turner.

The defending champions came out all guns blazing, with Naeem and Parvez Hossain Emon dismantling the Sultans’ bowling attack in a breathtaking opening stand. The duo racked up 86 runs in just five overs, setting the tone for a massive total.

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Emon was eventually dismissed for a fiery 45 off 19 deliveries, but Naeem continued the onslaught, anchoring the innings with a rapid 60 off 28 balls, laced with boundaries and clean hitting.

He found further support in Abdullah Shafique, who chipped in with a quickfire 33, as the Qalandars maintained their aggressive tempo.

Despite a couple of late breakthroughs, Lahore finished strongly, thanks to Sikandar Raza (13*), who ensured the total remained well beyond par in a shortened contest.

In reply, Multan Sultans struggled to keep pace despite a spirited effort. Early setbacks saw Steve Smith (9) and Josh Philippe (1) depart cheaply, putting the chase on the back foot.

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A counter-attacking knock from Shan Masood briefly revived hopes, as he struck a brisk 44 off 18 balls, while Sahibzada Farhan added 24. However, regular wickets prevented the Sultans from building sustained momentum.

Captain Turner led from the front with an unbeaten 52 off 22 deliveries and shared a fighting stand with Arafat Minhas, but the required rate proved too steep in the end as the Sultans finished on 165-5.

The defeat marked Multan’s first loss of the season, dropping them to third on the table, while Lahore Qalandars climbed to second with their second win.

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Former Pakistan captains Mohammad Yousuf and Shahid Afridi have publicly raised concerns over Lahore Qalandars’ selection strategy in the Pakistan Super League (PSL) 10, particularly the decision to field an inexperienced opener, Mohammad Naeem, ahead of more seasoned domestic performers.

Speaking on a local sports show, Yousuf didn’t mince his words while reacting to Naeem’s inclusion in the Qalandars’ playing XI.

“I’ve heard Mohammad Naeem’s name for the first time. Has he even played first-class cricket?” Yousuf questioned bluntly.

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“I’ve only seen him face 10 or 11 balls. They have Mohammad Akhlaq – an experienced first-class cricketer and a solid performer. How do you justify playing someone so raw over a proven domestic player?”

Mohammad Naeem, who had featured in just five T20 matches before making his PSL debut, was given the responsibility to open the innings alongside Fakhar Zaman.

The 22-year-old’s numbers don’t back his selection either – he had scored just 85 runs in those five games prior to the PSL and has managed only 8 and 10 in his first two PSL outings, totaling a modest 18 runs so far.

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Shahid Afridi also took a subtle jab at Lahore’s tendency to pick untested players under the banner of talent discovery. “Credit bhi to lena hai,” he said, alluding to the franchise’s reputation for backing unknown names.

It’s worth noting that Lahore Qalandars lost their tournament opener to Islamabad United but bounced back in a high-scoring win over Quetta Gladiators.

They now gear up for a crucial clash against arch-rivals Karachi Kings later today at the National Bank Stadium in Karachi.

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