- “We have a very good team for the 50-over format. This tournament is a big opportunity for all players to prove their worth,” says Asad Shafiq
- Balochistan to take on Punjab in tournament opener on 2 April; all 11 matches to be played at Pindi Cricket Stadium, Rawalpindi, with the final on 12 April
- PCB to provide match reports, action photographs and post-match media conferences
Lahore, 29 March 2019:
Balochistan are geared up for a big performance in the Pakistan Cup 2019 when the five teams converge to Rawalpindi for the tournament which commences at the Pindi Cricket Stadium on 2 April.
Captain Asad Shafiq was excited at the opportunity of leading the Balochistan side, and felt his team was well balanced and had a good combination for the 50-over format.
“We have a very good team for the 50-over format. The tournament is a big opportunity for all the players to prove their worth at a big stage,” Asad said.
The Balochistan captain was keen on motivating his team with Pakistan team’s selection due for the ICC Cricket World Cup 2019 at the end of the tournament. The Test batsman also asked his side’s fans to pray for the team’s success.
“We will try our best to win the tournament, the event is very well planned since the World Cup squad will be announced after the tournament ends, the performers have an opportunity of getting selected for the coveted event,” Asad added.
Federal Areas will defend the title, while Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, Sindh, Punjab and Balochistan are the other competing teams in the tournament. All 11 matches will be played at the Pindi Cricket Stadium, with the top two sides from the single-league competition progressing to the 12 April final.
Balochistan failed to make it to the final in the 2018 edition, but came very close to winning the title in the 2017 edition before losing to the Federal Areas by one wicket off the last-ball. They won two matches in the 2016 edition, but failed to reach the final.
For the 2019 edition, Balochistan have a solid batting line-up with the hugely experienced Asad set to be the guiding force. Asad, a veteran of 69 Tests, 60 ODIs and 10 T20Is, has amassed 4444 runs in 122 List A matches.
The middle-order also includes the left-handed Fawad Alam, who also has rich cricket experience, while another left-hander Awais Zia provides firepower at the top of the innings in his opener’s role.
Balochistan also have the explosive Umar Akmal in their batting ranks who will join the side following the ODI series against Australia, which is presently in progress in the United Arab Emirates.
Quetta-born wicket-keeper batsman Bismillah Khan would be hoping to build onto his success in the Pakistan Cup 2018 edition. The right-hander, representing Balochistan, scored 239 runs at 59.75 in four games at an impressive strike-rate of 120.70.
Balochistan also have an exciting bowling line-up, which includes HBL Pakistan Super League franchise Lahore Qalandar’s pace sensation Haris Rauf. Haris is expected to lead the pace attack, which also includes Mohammad Irfan Sr, Taj Wali and Ghulam Mudassar.
Mudassar performed admirably in the Pakistan Cup 2017, taking seven wickets in four games for Balochistan to finish fourth on the bowling charts.
Umar Khan, who was adjudged Emerging Player of HBL PSL 2019 after he consistently bamboozled the opponents with his flight and control during a highly successful event, would be keen on making a big impression with his left-arm spin bowling.
Balochistan - Asad Shafiq (captain); Ali Imran; Ammad Butt; Awais Zia; Bismillah Khan (WK); Fawad Alam; Ghulam Mudassar; Haris Rauf; Mohammad Irfan Sr; Qaiser Ashraf; Taj Wali; Umar Khan; Umer Akmal; Waqar Hussain (WK) and Zeeshan Ashraf
Balochistan fixtures (matches start 2pm):
Tue, 2 April – v Punjab
Thu, 4 April – v Sindh
Sun, 7 April – v Khyber Pakhtunkhwa
Wed, 10 April – v Federal Areas
Fri, 12 April - FINAL
