Iftikhar Ahmed suffers bizarre dismissal in President’s Cup final

KARACHI
Khan Research Laboratories (KRL) captain Iftikhar Ahmed suffered a bizarre dismissal during the recently concluded President’s Cup Grade-I final against Pakistan Television (PTV) here at the National Bank Stadium on Thursday.The incident occurred on the final delivery of the 29th over of KRL’s run chase as PTV’s left-arm wrist spinner bowled a loopy length delivery from round the wicket, which pitched just outside of the off-stump’s line.
Considering the angle, Iftikhar expected the ball to go wide of his stumps and decided to leave it, but the ball, upon impact, came back in sharply and brushed the top of his off-stump, leaving the batter stunned. Faisal Akram clean bowls Iftikhar Ahmed for his third strike The 35-year-old stood at the crease briefly before making his way back to the dugout after scoring 25 off 38 deliveries with the help of four fours.
The dismissal marked an unwanted end to Iftikhar’s brilliant all-round campaign at the eight-team tournament for KRL as he accumulated 240 runs with the bat in nine innings at a decent average of 34.28 with the help of two half-centuries, besides picking up 14 wickets in as many innings at 20.07.
Iftikhar’s all-round prowess in the President’s Cup Grade-I led his team to title victory and also earned him the Player of the Tournament award.
Interestingly, his dismissal, however, did not bother KRL’s pursuit as the side eventually chased down the total comfortably for the loss of six wickets and 92 balls to spare, courtesy of Shahzaib Khan’s half-century.The opening batter remained the top-scorer with an anchoring 53 off 83 deliveries, studded with four fours and a six and was thus adjudged the Player of the Match.