KARACHI: Young all-rounder Anwar Ali who led the greenshirts to a thrilling one-wicket victory over Sri Lanka has said it was his dream to earn more honour and glory for Pakistan.

Pakistan had already won the Test and ODI series and capped the Sri Lanka rubber on Saturday by displaying their brighter dimension of unpredictability to win the second T20 against the Islanders in Colombo.

“I am just ecstatic over playing my part in the triumph and it is extremely satisfying for me,” he said on his arrival from Sri Lanka on Sunday.

The 26-year-old Anwar remarked that he always wanted to serve his country through the game of cricket. “It was always my objective to serve Pakistan with my fine performances in batting, bowling and fielding.”

The young all-rounder who blasted hurricane 46 off just 17 balls with the aid of four sixes and three boundaries said he was not bothered by pressure situation, stating “I just went there and played my natural game.”

Anwar also hit Lasith Malinga for a six at a crucial moment. “When Malinga was bowling to me, I was only watching the ball, not him,” he commented.

While lauding captain Shahid Afridi and team management for giving him confidence, Anwar said: “I wanted to serve the team in all forms of cricket.”

Anwar was dismissed when Pakistan was just nine runs away from victory with eight balls to spare.“I was a bit disappointed not to finish the match but in the end Imad Wasim did the job with a superb six.

“To be frank, it was a memorable match for me and all the members of the team,” said a beaming Anwar who besides his dazzling batting display also took the wicket of Tillakaratne Dilshan to help his team tame Sri Lankans.

Published in Dawn, August 3rd, 2015

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