Pakistan Panthers Veterans’ winning streak ends in Kandy

Karachi Observer Report

The winning streak of Pakistan Panthers Veterans in Sri Lanka came to an end when Kandurata Veterans XI defeated them by five wickets at the Trinity College Ground in Kandy on October 5.

The Pakistan Panthers Veterans outfit, captained by Fawad Ijaz Khan, had emerged triumphant in both their earlier games on the tour, having outsmarted Western Province Veterans XI at the SSC Ground in Colombo on successive days.

Kandurata Veterans XI chased down the target of 232 with 6.3 overs and five wickets in hand, after having bowled out the visitors for 231 on the final ball of the innings.

Put into bat, Pakistani Panther Veterans XI played out the full quota of 35 overs to score 231 with major contributions coming from Jaffer Qureshi (57), Rafiq Ghaziani (40), Ashraf Pakhali (31) and Mansoor Akhtar (21) while the wickets were shared by the trio of Oril de Mel (5-43), Ajith Ekanayake (3-45) and Wasantha Kumara (2- 29).

Kandurata Veterans XI remained ahead of the clock and successfully completed the task of chasing a victory target of 232 runs which they did in 28.3 overs. Suresh Peiris (78), Jalitha Ratnayake (76), Palitha Thilakasiri (20) and Lanka de Silva (34 not out) scored fluently to take the match away from the visiting side.

Pakistani Panthers Veterans XI will get an opportunity to avenge the defeat when they take on the same opponents on what is going to be their fourth and last game of the tour, also in Kandy.

Summarized scores:

Pakistan Panthers Veterans XI: 231 in 35 overs (Jaffer Qureshi 57, Rafiq Ghaziani 40, Ashraf Pakhali 31, Mansoor Akhtar 21; Oril de Mel 5- 43, Ajith Ekanayake 3- 45, Wasantha Kumara 2 -29);

Kandurata Province Veterans XI 232-5 in 28.3 overs (Suresh Peiris 78, Jalitha Ratnayake 76, Palitha Thilakasiri 20, Lanka De Silva 34 not out)

Result: Kandurata Province Veterans XI won by five wickets.

Pakistan Panthers Veterans secure second successive win in Sri Lanka

Karachi Observer Report

KARACHI: Pakistani Panther Veterans registered their successive win during their ongoing tour of Sri Lanka when they whipped Western Province Veterans by 39 runs at the P. Sara Ground in Colombo on October 3. 

Pakistan’s veteran outfit, captained by Fawad Ijaz Khan and containing former Test and first-class cricketers, is currently on a goodwill tour visiting Sri Lanka where they will play their last two matches in Kandy against Kandurata Veterans XI later in the week. They had overpowered Western Province Veterans by three wickets in the opening game.

Pakistani Panther Veterans made the most of friendly batting conditions and easy paced pitch while batting first after winning the toss. Jaffer Qureshi led the run spree with an aggressive 106 while the momentum was sustained by the other batsmen.

Skipper Fawad Ijaz contributed an attractive 33 while Mansoor Akhtar, a former Test cricketer, contributed 21. The innings ended with a flourish as Ashraf Pakhali and Najeeb Sadiq remained undefeated on 43 and 22 respectively to raise the total to 274 in 35 overs despite fine bowling by A J Samarasekara and M D F Ravindra, who shared five wickets between them.

Chasing a formidable y target of 275 runs in 35 overs, Western Province Veterans responded positively but ran out of steam in the end to be bowled for 236 in 32.5 overs. 

Useful contributions from Nallaiah Devarajan (29), Asoka De Silva (29), Lindan Hannibal (24) and M D F Ravindra (21) kept the match alive but the fine bowling by the Pakistan trio of Ghaffar Kazmi (3-18), Najeeb Sadiq (3-25) and Jaffer Qureshi (3-53) won the day for the visitors. Jaffer Qureshi was adjudged Man of the Match for his terrific all-round performance.

Summarized scores:

Pakistan Panthers Veterans XI: 274-5 in 35 overs (Jaffer Qureshi 106, Fawad Ijaz Khan 33, Manzoor Akhtar 21, Ashraf Pakhali 43 not out, Najeeb Sadiq 22 not out; A J Samarasekara 3-48, M D F Ravindra 2-43)

Western Province Veterans XI: 236 in 32.5 overs (Nallaiah Devarajan 29, Asoka De Silva 29, Lindan Hannibal 24, M D F Ravindra 21; Ghaffar Kazmi 3-18, Najeeb Sadiq 3-25, Jaffer Qureshi 3-53).

Result: Pakistan Panthers Veterans XI won by 39 runs