Watch: Mohammad Asif orchestrates WAPDA's bizarre innings victory
In what was one of the most unusual matches in the history of first-class cricket, Water and Power Development Authority (WAPDA) managed to achieve an innings victory despite scoring just 167 runs in the recently completed match. Khan Research Labs (KRL) were at the receiving end of some magical bowling from erstwhile Pakistan seamer Mohammad Asif and veteran domestic pacer Waqas Maqsood.
Led by former Pakistan skipper Salman Butt, WAPDA were taking on KRL at the State Bank of Pakistan Sports Complex in Karachi during a Group 2 match in the Super Eight phase of the 2017/18 Quaid-e-Azam Trophy.
For the uninitiated, the Quaid-e-Azam Trophy is the premier first-class tournament in Pakistan. Having cruised to the title last year, the defending champions WAPDA have got themselves in prime position to replicate their heroics by cruising to a crushing triumph against KRL.
Opting to bowl first on a green-tinged surface, skipper Butt's decision was rewarded as Maqsood produced a scarcely believable spell. The 30-year old left-arm pacer scythed through KRL's batting lineup to end up with jaw-dropping figures of 9/32. He was ably supported by Asif who constantly maintained pressure from his end. Noticeably, national star Wahab Riaz sent down just five overs in the innings.
WAPDA's first-innings reply began on a perilous note as stalwart Sadaf Hussain made mincemeat of their top-order. Butt himself was dismissed for a 23-ball 8. While the left-arm seamer finished with the 24th five-wicket haul of his first-class career, he could not prevent all-rounder Khalid Usman from smashing a 115-ball 86. The right-hander's sparkling knock helped his team eke out a handy 72-run lead.
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After being dented early by Asif, KRL started their second-innings in a relatively better manner as the top-order set about erasing the deficit. However, with the pitch opening up to the vagaries of inconsistent bounce, a steep challenge awaited them. The 34-year old seamer ripped through their lower-middle order to pave the way for his team's emphatic win. Wickets kept tumbling one after another and WAPDA did not even need to bat again in the match.
Despite being in the final phase of his career, Asif reiterated that his skills continue to remain undiminished by time. While he picked up a six-for, Maqsood made it twelve for the match. Routed for 65 in their second-innings, KRL suffered an ignominious defeat by an innings and seven runs.
While it's unclear on where WAPDA's total of 167 stands in the all-time table of lowest first-innings scores in innings victories, the match evinced some riveting cricket on what was a really dodgy pitch.
Brief Scores: Khan Research Labs (KRL) - 95 (Junaid Ali 40, Waqas Maqsood 9/32, Mohammad Asif 1/22) & 65 (Said Badar 22, Asif 6/23, Maqsood 3/9); Water and Power Development Authority (WAPDA) - 167 (Khalid Usman 86, Sadaf Hussain 5/51)
Result - WAPDA won by an innings and seven runs
(Video Courtesy: WAPDA & Cricket Passion)