Tag: PCC Select XI

SUSSEX: Azan Awais and Haider Ali struck half-centuries to hand Pakistan Shaheens a five-wicket win over the Professional County Club (PCC) Select XI in the third one-day match here on Sunday.

The victory also helped the Shaheens clinch the three-match series 2-1.

Chasing 261 to win, Pakistan Shaheens’ openers Shamyl Hussain and Azan Awais provided a solid 101-run start to the innings.

Left-hander Shamyl was the first to depart, returning to the pavilion after scoring 40 off 55 balls, including four boundaries.

Azan Awais was then joined by Mohammad Suleman and the pair stitched a 68-run stand for the second wicket, with Suleman contributing a brisk 44 off 40 balls, hitting four fours and three sixes.

After Suleman’s dismissal in the 31st over, captain Saud Shakeel (1 off 6) was soon back in the pavilion, leaving Pakistan Shaheens three down for 171 in 31.2 overs.

At that crucial juncture, Azan was joined by Haider Ali, who had earlier played a match-winning knock in the first one-day match.

The pair added 33 runs for the fourth wicket before Azan fell for a composed 88 off 104 balls, laced with 12 fours and a six.

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Pakistan Shaheens reached the target with 37 balls to spare, due to a quick-fire knock from Haider Ali, who remained unbeaten on 55 off 40 balls, striking five fours and three towering sixes.

For the Professional County Club Select XI, leg-spinner Harrison was the most successful bowler, claiming two wickets for 48 runs in eight overs.

Earlier in the day, right-arm fast bowler Ubaid Shah returned impressive figures of 4 for 41 in 9.4 overs to help bundle out the hosts for 260 in 46.4 overs.

Ubaid not only dismissed in-form opener Will Smeed (8), but also removed Ollie Sykes, top scorer for his side with a 56-ball 64, including two fours and five sixes.

Tom Lawes contributed 49, while wicketkeeper-batter Thomas made 44 off 52 balls before being bowled by Ubaid.

Musa Khan was also amongst the wickets, claiming 2 for 39, while Mir Hamza and Saud picked up a wicket each.

Having won the first one-day match by five wickets (DLS method), Pakistan Shaheens will now take on the Professional County Club (PCC) Select XI in the first three-day match, commencing from 29 July at the same venue.

The second three-day match will be against South Asian Cricket Academy & MCC Young Cricketers at the Spitfire Ground, St Lawrence, Canterbury from 3 to 5 August.

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BECKENHAM: The Professional County Club (PCC) Select XI secured a comprehensive seven-wicket victory over Pakistan Shaheens in the second one-day here at the County Ground on Friday. 

PCC Select XI chased down the modest target of 153 runs in 26 overs, losing only three wickets in the process.

The home side faced a challenging start, losing both of their openers within the first five and being reduced to 35-2. Mohammed Isacc was the first to be removed, scoring 13 off 16 balls, whereas Will Smeed crisped three fours before being out on 18 off 11 deliveries.

Following the early setbacks, Tom Lawes and Hamza Sheikh batted responsibly, forging a 59-run stand to steady their team in the chase. The duo’s cautious stand brought the score to 94-3 in 13 overs.

With PCC Select XI cruising, Shahid Aziz was brought into the attack,  who removed a well-set batter, Tom Lawes, to give the visitors a reprieve.

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However, Hamza Shaikh’s and skipper Luc Martin Benkenstein’s decisive 59-run partnership kept Shaheen’s bowlers at bay.

Shaikh top-scored with 54* off 63 balls, striking four boundaries and a six, while Benkenstein struck two fours on his way to 23 off 32 balls.

For Pakistan Shaheens, Shahid Aziz, Ubaid Shah, and Mir Hamza picked up a wicket each.

Earlier, after being put into bat, Pakistan Shaheens were bowled out for 152 runs in only 29.3 overs, with Azan Awais top scoring with 68 off 85 balls.  However, no other batter could contribute significantly.

Ali Zaryab (14 off 23 balls), Omair Bin Yousuf (4 off 5 deliveries), and skipper Saud Shakeel could only manage to score five.

For PCC Select XI, Jafer Chohan was the standout bowler, picking up four wickets in 5.3 overs and giving away 44 runs. Scott Currie was equally good, scalping three wickets in his six overs.

With this win, PCC Select XI leveled the One-Day series at 1-1, with one match to go, which will be played at the 1st Central County Ground, Hove on 27 July.

Playing XIs:

Professional County Club Select XI: Will Smeed, Isaac Mohammed, Tom Lawes, Hamza Shaikh, Luc Benkenstein (C), Ollie Sykes, Joe Moores (WK), Dan Douthwaite, Jafer Chohan, Mitchell Stanley, Scott Currie

Pakistan Shaheens: Ali Zaryab, Azan Awais, Omair Bin Yousuf, Saud Shakeel (C), Haider Ali, Maaz Sadaqat, Rohail Nazir (WK), Shahid Aziz, Ubaid Shah, Mir Hamza, Faisal Akram

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