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KENT: Pakistan Shaheens’ batter Haider Ali has credited strong communication and tactical planning with skipper Saud Shakeel for their match-winning partnership in the opening one-day match against the Professional County Club Select XI.
Speaking after the five-wicket victory at Kent County Cricket Ground in Beckenham, Haider revealed that the early loss of wickets had put him under pressure when he walked out to bat.
“There was pressure when I came in to bat. We had lost three wickets quickly, so my focus was on building a solid partnership with Saud and staying at the crease as long as possible,” Haider said.
The pitch, he noted, wasn’t easy to bat on early in the innings due to overhead conditions. However, he emphasised that professional players are expected to adapt.
“The pitch was a bit tricky in the beginning, and weather conditions were also a factor, but professionals learn to adapt,” he said.
“Saud and I communicated well; we’ve played together before, so the understanding was already there,” he added.
Haider Ali shared that the duo decided to be smart with their shot selection and target specific bowlers and overs.
“There was wind blowing from one side, so we picked the bowlers and overs where we would attack and try to get the runs we needed. Saud is always supportive and guides a lot during batting,” he further stated.
The right-hander played a crucial role in the chase, scoring 71 off 56 balls with five boundaries and three sixes.
His 129-run stand with captain Saud Shakeel helped rescue the Shaheens after a top-order wobble had left them struggling at 32 for three in 5.1 overs.
The Shaheens were chasing a revised target of 204 in a rain-hit contest reduced to 28 overs per side.
After Haider’s dismissal in the 24th over, Maaz Sadaqat and later Shahid Aziz stepped in to support Saud, who anchored the innings with an unbeaten 72 off 72 balls.
Shahid chipped in with a valuable 21* off 11 balls to see the team home on the second-last delivery.
Earlier, Professional County Club Select XI were bowled out for 187 in 27.4 overs, with opener Will Smeed top-scoring with 84.
Maaz Sadaqat claimed 3 for 28, while Saud and Faisal Akram bagged two wickets each.
The second match of the three-game series will take place at the same venue on Friday, with the first ball to be bowled at 3pm PKT.
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