KARACHI: Khan Research Laboratories (KRL) captain Iftikhar Ahmed was surprisingly sent off in the recently concluded President’s Cup Grade-1 final against Pakistan Television (PTV) at the National Bank Stadium.
In the final delivery of the 29th over of KRL’s run chase, PTV’s left-arm wrist spinner bowled a loopy length ball from round the wicket that was pitched outside the off-stump boundary.
Considering the angle, Iftikhar decided to leave it expecting the ball to go outside his stumps, but the ball, on impact, came back sharply and brushed the top of his off-stump, causing a jolt to the bat.
The 35-year-old stood briefly at the crease before returning to the dugout after scoring 25 off 38 balls with the help of 4 fours.
The knock marked an unwelcome end to Iftikhar’s brilliant all-round campaign in the eight-team competition for KRL as he scored 240 runs in nine innings with the bat at a decent average of 34.28, taking 14 wickets in 20 innings.
Iftikhar’s all-round prowess led his team to the title win in the Presidents Cup Grade-I and earned him the Man of the Match award.
Interestingly, however, his dismissal did not disturb KRL’s streak as the side comfortably chased down the total with the help of six wickets and a 92-ball half-century from Shahzaib Khan.
The opener top scored with 53 runs off 83 balls with 4 fours and a six and was adjudged man of the match.
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