ACS Overseas First-Class Annual 2019

330 Pakistan in 2018/19 Once the ‘Super Eight’ stage began, however, Habib Bank, which had barely qualified after finishing only fourth in Pool A, seized its opportunity and forced its way to the top of Group II, just edging out Sui Southern. Group I was also very close, Sui Northern finishing level on points with WAPDA and prevailing only by virtue of having avoided any defeats. The provincial teams faded badly at this stage: Karachi Whites and Lahore Blues ended pointless after three straight defeats, and Peshawar were not much better. The final proved to be a fine game of cricket marred by its controversial conclusion. Habib Bank, batting second, claimed a large lead of 168 but Sui Northern hit back, racing to a score of 430-7d at more than five an over. The game was finely poised with Habib Bank on 183-6, needing 263 to win, when the umpires took the players off for bad light and left Habib Bank as winners by virtue of their first innings lead. The former national captain Misbah-ul-Haq, leading Sui Northern, protested bitterly that the light was playable and refused to attend the presentation ceremony after the match. On the whole the 2018/19 QeA, like its predecessor, was a competition for bowlers. Lahore Blues seamer Aizaz Cheema, who appeared in a few Tests early in the decade, claimed the most victims with 59 at only 13.20; second place was taken by Kashif Bhatti (left-arm slow) of Sui Southern, whose 49 wickets cost 14.10. The most prolific batsmen achieved less impressive averages, with the exception of Khurram Manzoor of Karachi Whites with 886 at 68.15; he was followed at some distance by two Habib Bank players, Imran Farhat with 744 and Umar Akbal with 736, but their averages were 43.76 and 40.88 respectively. Followers of Pakistan cricket will know that it is nothing special for changes to be afoot in the format of the season, but the restructuring planned for the 2019/20 season promises to be little short of revolutionary. The departmental sides have been a factor in Pakistan cricket since Pakistan International Airlines made its first-class bow in a friendly match back in 1960/61, and since the mid-1970s they have dominated most seasons. But in 2019/20 they are due to be swept away and the only first-class competition, the QeA, will be contested exclusively by geographically-based sides. (JCB)