August 03, 2007	Friday	Rajab 18, 1428

KARACHI, Aug 2: Mohammad Sami couldn’t have picked a more appropriate moment to merit inclusion in the Pakistan squad for next month’s Twenty20 World Championship in South Africa with a lively spell of the new ball during the sixth practice match at the National Stadium on Thursday.

Watched by Dr Nasim Ashraf, the Pakistan Cricket Board chairman, an inspired Sami bowled what turned out to be the most hostile spell of the ongoing training camp to claim two for 20 as Pakistan Tigers beat Pakistan Panthers by 40 runs.

The presence of the PCB chief, flanked by the national selectors, brought about a noticeable change in the players’ approach. Gone was the disinterested attitude exhibited by a number of players as they resigned themselves to go through the motions. The spirit of competitiveness, which was sadly missing in the previous games, was on full view on Thursday as the players took the match seriously.

After trapping Khurram Manzoor for a six-ball duck, Sami had Imran Farhat brilliantly taken at slip by a diving Yasir Hameed for one. And With Mohammad Hafeez dismissing Khalid Latif first ball in between meant that the Panthers lost three wickets for three runs.

Naved Latif and Faisal Iqbal (45 off 27 balls, five fours and one six) added respectability by putting on 72 for the fifth wicket inside seven fours before Faisal threw away his wicket rather unnecessarily when he heaved at Salman Butt’s part-time off-spin down Yasir’s throat at deep mid-wicket.

Abdul Razzaq provided Yasir his third catch after scoring just 13 to give Hafeez his second wicket.Upcoming all-rounder Sohail Tanvir tried to lift the tempo with a cameo towards the end. The left-hander slammed three sixes in a 15-ball 30 before Salman held a smart return catch to end the 47-run stand.

Naved finished with an undefeated 62 off 48 balls. The diminutive right-hander struck nine boundaries.

The initial period of play was highlighted by excellent batting by Salman Butt, Shoaib Malik and Misbah-ul-Haq as the Tigers totalled 204 for five after electing to bat first.

Salman continued his rich vein of form with another impressive contribution. The Pakistan vice-captain’s 62 on Thursday featured eight sparkling fours and one six until the left-hander’s 40-ball innings was terminated via run out by Sohail Tanvir.

Misbah lashed six fours and one six in making 59 off 40 balls before he was caught in the deep off Sohail, who took 3-47. Shoaib Malik ended up with 49 to his name; the Pakistan skipper’s 30-ball knock containing five fours and a solitary six.

Mohammad Asif, who once captained the Panthers, struggled in the morning’s heat as his figures of none for 47 in four overs told.

The last two games in the eight-match series, which are scheduled for Saturday and Sunday, are both evening fixtures starting at 7:00pm.

Summarised scores:

PAKISTAN TIGERS 204-5 in 20 overs (Salman Butt 62, Misbah-ul-Haq 59, Shoaib Malik 49 not out; Sohail Tanvir 3-47); PAKISTAN PANTHERS 164-7 in 20 overs (Naved Latif 62 not out, Faisal Iqbal 45, Sohail Tanvir 30; Mohammad Sami 2-20, Mohammad Hafeez 2-30, Salman Butt 2-54).