LAHORE – Pakistan captain Sarfaraz Ahmed refused to compare his last-ballsix with the one great Javed Miandad hit at the same Sharjah CricketStadium some 33 years ago.
The tradition of last-ball six at the iconic stadium, host of a worldrecord 236 ODIs, started in April 1986 when Miandad hitting India’s ChetanSharma in the final to help Pakistan clinch the Austral-Asia Cup forPakistan.
On Friday, the ghost of last-ball six hurt Multan Sultans when DanChristian was smashed for a last-ball six by former South Africaall-rounder David Wiese in Lahore Qalandars’ win.
Wise was on the receiving end within 24 hours later on Saturday as Quetta,needing two off the last ball, were helped over the line by Sarfaraz’s sixover deep mid-wicket.
Asked whether he followed Miandad’s tradition, Sarfaraz replied on Sunday,”You cannot compare my feat with Miandad’s. His was an international matchand the pressure of an international match – thattoo against India – must have been enormous.”
Sarfaraz kept his nerves as wickets fell at the other end as Gladiators,chasing 144 to win, needed 36 off the last five overs.
He added 54 for the sixth wicket with Mohammad Nawaz and despite losingNawaz in the penultimate over and then Anwar Ali off the first ball of the20th over, did not lose his resolve of fighting till the last ball.
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Sarfaraz said he has learnt the art of playing calmly from internationalmatches, a trait he also praised in his counterpart at the same match, ABde Villiers.
“AB plays so calmly and, while there is no comparison, but I have alsolearnt to play calmly. Whenever I get a chance to bat under pressure, Ikeep my cool and that’s why I delivered tonight,” he said.Sarfaraz praised his bowlers, led by young Ghulam Mudassar (three for 21)and the seasoned Sohail Tanvir (two for 21) who restricted Lahore to 143for seven.
“We bowled well and credit to the bowlers for keeping Qalandars to 143 andthat helped us a great deal,” he added.
Quetta Gladiators are on top of the six-team table with four wins in asmany games, scoring eight points.
