Misbah hits ton as Pakistan crush WI to win Global Cup

KARACHI: Hosts Pakistan emerged world champions by overpowering West Indies by 152 runs in the final of the inaugural MCW Over 40s Cricket Global Cup at National Bank Stadium thanks to a stunning century by skipper Misbah-ul-Haq.

Meanwhile, United Arab Emirates (UAE) won the plate final against Hong Kong by 92 runs at Moin Khan Academy.Misbah;s toon enabled Pakistan to post an imposing total of 328 for four in the allotted 45 overs which they defended quite comfortably by bowling their opponents out for 176 in 38.5 overs with spinner Abdul Qadir picking up six wickets for 35 runs.

Misbah chose to bat first after beating rival skipper Narsingh Deonarine in the spin of coin. The West Indians did a fabulous job by containing the Pakistani openers, Abdul Razzaq and Amjad Ali, who had massacred the Australian bowlers in the semifinal at the same venue. Pakistan, in fact, was in a spot of bother when both Razzaq (38 off 58 balls) and Amjad (28 off 28 balls) perished in quick succession after a quiet start.

The stage was set for the captain to lead by example and Misbah did exactly that by adding 173 for third wicket with Hassan Raza, who made 68 off 64 balls. Misbah departed after scoring 106 off 93 balls with the help of seven sixes and six fours.

The cameo from Tasawwar Abbas, who finished unbeaten on 58 off only 21 balls allowed the home side to collect nearly 100 runs from the last seven overs which lifted the total into mammoth proportions. Former Test leg-spinner Mahendra Nagamootoo (2-50) was the pick of the West Indian bowlers.

West Indies began the chase of 329 in a confident manner with openers Randy Thomas (37 off 51 balls) and Devindra Maharaj (17 off 34 balls) seeing off new ball operators, Muhammad Sami and Imran Ali, during their 57-run partnership. The introduction of spin, as expected, brought about their downfall and the sensational spell of Abdul Qadir, yielding six wickets, sealed the fate of the match. Lawrence Farnum (41 off 54 balls) and Sanjeev Gooljar (28 off 37 balls) delayed the inevitable for a while by adding 65 for eighth wicket but Hassan Raza took the last three wickets in quick time to close the deal.

Meanwhile UAE, who didn’t qualify for the semifinals, had the consolation of becoming the plate champions by overcoming Hong Kong by 92 runs at Moin Khan Academy late on Sunday evening. Batting first, after calling correctly, UAE did well to reach a competitive total of 241 before being dismissed in the final over.