Date:27/11/2008 URL: http://www.thehindu.com/2008/11/27/stories/2008112760661900.htm

Sport - Cricket

Razzaq, Naved star for Pakistan XI

Principal Correspondent

Razzaq was chosen Man-of-the-Match
Goodwin, Martyn shore up World XI

AHMEDABAD: The big-hitting Abdul Razzaq and the consistent Rana Naved-ul-Hasan cracked brilliant half-centuries to fashion Pakistan XI’s impressive six-wicket win over World XI and stay in the contention in the four-team ICL World Series cricket championship at Sardar Patel Stadium (Navrangpura) here on Wednesday night.

This was the first win in two matches for Pakistan XI.

Hopes dashed

If World XI entertained hopes of a victory after dismissing in-form openers Imran Nazir (15) and Humayun Farhat (12) cheaply by the third over, they were dashed with Abdul Razzaq (73 not out, 45b, 9x4, 1x6) and Naved-ul-Hasan (74, 39b, 10x4, 3x6) putting on 133 in just 12.2 overs to set the platform for the big win.

Man-of-the-Match Razzaq meant business straightaway with two imperious pulls off Jason Gillespie.

He soon lofted Syed Mohammad into the stands to virtually demoralise the bowlers. And, to prove that he was not far behind, Rana pulled Andrew Hall and clipped Chris Harris nonchalantly for a six apiece.

By all means it was a Razzaq-Naved show all the way, treating the bowling with disdain and their cause was helped by poor catching.

Earlier, Murray Goodwin and Damien Martyn strung together a 90-run partnership in 9.1 overs for the first wicket to help World XI score 188 for three in 20 overs.

Zimbabwean Goodwin was particularly severe on fast bowler Abdul Razzaq and Naved-ul-Hasan Rana — hitting six fours in all off their bowling. Goodwin (52, 31b, 8x4, 1x6), who also hit a huge six off off-spinner Arshad Khan, was eventually bowled by Riaz Afridi, playing across the line.

But soon, Martyn took charge essaying his now-familiar flowing strokes on either side of the wicket. His class was writ all over a cover-drive off Shahid Nazir and an elegant flick through mid-wicket. His unbeaten 64 (49b, 5x4, 1x6) and a useful contribution from Lance Klusener (24, 12b, 2x4, 2x6) denied any chance for the Pakistani bowlers to dominate in the slog overs.

The scores: World XI 188 for three in 20 overs (Murray Goodwin 52, Damien Martyn 64 not out) lost to Pakistani XI 191 for four in 17.5 overs (Abdul Razzaq 73 not out, Naved-ul-Hasan Rana 74).