Haq shines in big Qatar Stars win over Asian Stars

Skipper Inam-ul-Haq set up a big 71-run victory for Qatar Stars against Asian Stars at the Asian Town Cricket Stadium on Tuesday.
The Qatar Cricket Association (QCA) hosted the Twenty20 match at the Industrial Area venue as part of the grand festivities that marked the Qatar National Day. Famous cricketers of the Asian sub-continent gathered here to make the occasion memorable as a large crowd of more than 10,000 fans enjoyed some amazing cricket action.
QCA president Yousef Jeham al-Kuwari hosted a dinner for the players of both the teams at the Torch Hotel on Monday.
He, Board members and other QCA officials, including Operations manager Manzoor Ahmad and Domestic Cricket head Gul Khan Jadoon, were also present at the stadium to witness the match. Among the dignitaries present at the match were the Indian ambassador P Kumaran.
Asian Stars featured Asadullah Khan, Mohamed Yamin Ahmadzai (both Afghanistan), Ajantha Mendis, Thilan Thushara Mirando (both Sri Lanka), Umar Gul, Fawad Alam (both Pakistan), Mohamed Elias (Bangladesh), Mahamad Hashim Ansari, Sanjam Regmi (both Nepal) and Venkatesh Prasad (India).
Batting first, Qatar Stars reached a healthy 188 for eight with Haq hammering a glorious 102. His fiery 64-ball knock contained 11 fours and three sixes. Before being the last man out, he added 82 runs with Khurram Shahzad for the fifth wicket.
Shahzad collected 32 off 22 balls with four boundaries and a six. M Rizlan (16) and Faisal Javed (14) were other scorers for the home team. Ahmadzai bowled superbly to grab four wickets for 28. Mirando, Mendis and Naveed, one of three players assisting the Asian team, shared three wickets.
The Asian team were troubled in the beginning by Nadeem Khan (three for 18 in three overs). Later captain Haq polished off the lower-order to return four for 13 to cause wrap up the massive victory. Iqbal Chaudhry also had a brace for 19.
Awais Malik dealt the first blow when he removed Qalandar Khan (8) at 28. Chaudhry got rid of both opener Ansari (18 with three fours) and Alam (20 with one four) at 47. Dharmang, who smashed two sixes and one four in his 27-ball 40, and Asadullah Khan repaired the damage and took the score 102.
However, Gul’s departure at 111 triggered the slump and the Asian Stars folded at 117 in 17 overs.
Their last six players could add only six runs, failing to negotiate the bowling of Nadeem Khan and Haq.
Al-Kuwari expressed his gratitude to the Asian Star players for accepting his invite to come to Doha, celebrate the Qatar National Day and add international flavour to the grand occasion. He also thanked the home team for playing well and the crowd for supporting the match.