Pakistan Shaheens’ batter Haider Ali has praised his solid partnership and clear communication with captain Saud Shakeel, which played a key role in their five-wicket win over the Professional County Club Select XI. The victory came in the opening one-day match held at the Kent County Cricket Ground in Beckenham.
Speaking after the match, Haider shared how early pressure shaped his mindset when he came in to bat. Pakistan Shaheens had already lost three wickets quickly, and the team was in trouble at 32 for 3 in just 5.1 overs.
“There was definitely pressure when I went out to bat,” Haider said. “We had lost quick wickets, so I knew I had to build a strong partnership with Saud and focus on staying at the crease for as long as possible.”
Haider also pointed out that the pitch conditions weren’t ideal in the beginning. The ball was doing a bit due to the overcast weather, making it tough to bat early on. But he emphasized that professional cricketers must learn to adjust to all kinds of situations.
“The pitch was challenging early on, and the weather made it harder. But that’s part of the job — as professionals, we have to adapt,” he added.
One of the key factors in their successful partnership was their understanding and communication during the innings. Haider and Saud have played together before, and that experience helped them stay calm and make smart decisions.
“Saud and I have played a lot of cricket together, so we understand each other’s game. We kept talking and supported each other while batting,” Haider explained.
Haider revealed that they used smart tactics to target specific bowlers and overs, especially considering the wind that was blowing from one side of the ground.
“We planned to go after certain bowlers when the wind was in our favor. We picked the right overs to attack and played calculated shots. Saud was great in guiding me throughout the innings,” he said.
Haider Ali played a crucial knock, scoring 71 runs off just 56 balls. His innings included five boundaries and three big sixes. His 129-run partnership with Saud Shakeel completely turned the game in Pakistan Shaheens’ favor.
The match was shortened due to rain and was reduced to 28 overs per side. The Shaheens were chasing a revised target of 204 runs. After Haider was dismissed in the 24th over, Maaz Sadaqat came in to support Saud. Later, Shahid Aziz joined the skipper and helped finish the game.
Saud Shakeel stayed not out till the end, scoring a composed 72 off 72 balls, guiding the team safely through the chase. Shahid Aziz made a quick and valuable contribution of 21 not out off just 11 balls, sealing the win on the second-last delivery of the match.
Earlier in the day, the Professional County Club Select XI were bowled out for 187 runs in 27.4 overs. Their opener, Will Smeed, was the standout performer with the bat, scoring a solid 84.
For Pakistan Shaheens, Maaz Sadaqat impressed with the ball by taking 3 wickets for 28 runs. Captain Saud Shakeel and spinner Faisal Akram also played a part, picking up two wickets each.
The three-match series continues with the second game set to take place at the same venue on Friday. The match will start at 3:00 PM Pakistan Standard Time (PKT).
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