Tourists triumph in deaf ODI

13 August 2006

England skipper Umesh Valjee meets counterpart Zaka Ahmed

Pakistan deaf won the first one-day international against England by a convincing eight-wicket margin at Gidea Park in Romford.

A target of 166 proved to be well within the tourists’ reach as they triumphed with nine overs to spare.

After winning the toss and asking the home side to bat, Pakistan landed two early strikes from paceman Adnan Ghani and one from Naeem Baig to put them in a strong position before England skipper Umesh Valjee and Stefan Pilchowski steadied the ship.

The introduction of Muhammad Shakeel saw the demise of Valjee for 25, and Nigel Davenport soon followed, chasing a wide delivery.

Pilchowski was run out for 27, going for a risky second, and it needed a stand of 36 for the ninth wicket between Blyth Duncan and Darrell Sykes to give the total some respectability.

Duncan was run out for 20 after being sent back by his partner and Sykes was bowled in the last over for 19.

There were two wickets for Ghani and Baig as England were bowled out for 165.

Pakistan's openers, Zaka Ahmed and Muhammad Iqbal, started briskly and added 27 in good time before a brilliant pick-up and throw from Steven George saw Iqbal run out for 15.

Pakistan's skipper Zaka proved hard to dislodge, playing a series of superb cover drives.

He reached a deserved half-century despite losing Nabbeel Aslam to a finger injury, before driving a low return catch to George. He made 79, containing 11 boundaries.

Shahzad Mirza saw Pakistan home with 40 not out, but Ahmed deservedly won the
man-of-the-match award for his crucial contribution.

England: 165, 49.5 overs (U Valjee 25, S Pilchowski 27, B Duncan 20)
Pakistan: 168-2, 41 overs (Z Ahmed 79, S Mirza 40 not out)