Well, the umbrellas went up at the 9-over mark in the chase. As luck would have it, they stayed up. Peshawar has been kind to Karachi Whites, as this rain affected game grants them their second win in as many matches. For the Bahawalpur Region, their campaign as started off with a tough loss today.
We have a second game lined up ahead of us today between Multan and the Lahore Blues. If the weather stays kind, we should see that game proceed as per schedule.
On this note, I, Manan Mehta would like to sign off on behalf of my colleagues Dev Rajawat and Yogesh Kumar. B-byeee!!!
Saud Shakeel (Karachi Region Whites): (On the team’s overall performance) “Overall, it was a good performance from the team. From a bowling point of view, I was a little disappointed with the first six overs. We could have been tighter there. We need to prepare ourselves better for the matches ahead.
(On what he tells the bowlers as captain) These are different types of pitches here, so the bowlers are still trying to find the right length and whether to swing the ball or not. I think this pitch is helping cutters a bit more, and the sooner the bowlers adapt to that, the better it will be for them.
(On the top order performing well)Yes, we are satisfied. Saim scored runs, and Abdullah also batted very well. We are satisfied with the first two matches, but in the upcoming games, we will need to keep playing good cricket every day.”
Mohammad Imran Randhawa (Bahawalpur Region Captain): "(Initial thoughts on the result) I think we were a little hard done by the rain. Obviously the first 6 overs will see some hits by the batters. Even we scored in the powerplay. However, when I batted out there, I realised that batting against the old ball was difficult. So I would say going into the rain we were at 50:50.
(Game of margins) Yeah, if you see we were pretty close to them. The keeper dropped a catch, otherwise we probably would have been ahead in the DLS score. While batting I think we were 10-15 runs short. Haider Ali getting run out was the turning point in that innings."
Saim Ayub (Player of the Match): (On being reminded of his promise about two good innings) “I don’t remember making that promise (Laughs). I just try to perform for my team in every match.
(On his batting form returning) Whenever I get the opportunity, I try to enjoy my batting while staying within my process and keep improving. I try to play confidently and enjoy the game.
(On his improvement in bowling over the past year) I just try to keep my plans simple and read the batter. When the team gives me the responsibility to bowl, it’s my duty. I try to keep things simple and enjoy the responsibility.”
PLAYER OF THE MATCH: SAIM AYUB
Time for the Post-Match Presentations...
9:27 PM IST and 8:57 PM Local Time: THE RAIN HAS THE LAST LAUGH AND GRANTS KARACHI WHITES A 12 RUN WIN BY DLS METHOD! Bahawalpur Region may have felt hard done here but they cannot fight nature and will have to accept the result that has come their way!
Karachi Whites won the toss and elected to bowl first. They were up against some fiery batting from the Bahawalpur openers. Mohammad Akram and Faizan Zafar took off in fine style and brought up 50 in 5 overs.
However, a mini collapse occurred then as they slipped to 71/3 in the next 3 overs. Zafar was not out at that point. He was joined by captain Imran Randhawa. They added 38 runs for the fourth wicket and in quick time. Zafar was dismissed for 49. Randhawa though continued the onslaught and brought up a quick half century.
Wickets fell at regular intervals but Randhawa's presence at the crease powered Bahawalpur to 185/8. He ended with 59. The pick off the bowlers for Karachi Whites was Muhammad Umar with figures of 3-27. It looked like a par total at the halfway stage. The chase started off in the best possible fashion for the Karachi Whites.
Openers Abdullah Fazal and Saim Ayub played some good-looking strokes early on. The latter was the aggressor and looked like his best version. In the powerplay they brought up 58. Post that the pair slowed down a tad bit but made sure no inroads took place. Saim crossed 50. At 78/0 in 9 overs, the heavens opened up and the players had to leave the ground.
We did not have any other action post that rain interruption. Karachi Whites' good start with the bat in the chase helped them out in notching up a fine win here in Peshawar. They have made it two wins in two games now!
9:22 PM IST, 8:52 PM LOCAL TIME: There hasn't been any official update, though the match officials, including umpires, went onto the field a bit ago and had an inspection of the conditions. The covers are still placed around and on the pitch - it seems very unlikely that we will get to see any action. Let's wait a bit for the official confirmation...
A small boy runs on to the field to meet his favourite cricketers. The security though escorts him off back to the stands.