KARACHI: Pakistan Over-60s, displaying all-round prowess, outgunned Lincolnshire by 37 runs in a side match during their ongoing tour of England. Batting first, the visitors posted a mammoth total of 294 for seven in the allotted 45 overs before restricting the county side to 257 for five at Sleaford Cricket Club Ground.
The five-match ODI series between Pakistan Over-60s and England Over-60s for Royal Nawab Trophy is currently locked at one-all. Pakistan emerged triumphant in the opening fixture but the hosts rallied back to run away with the second match. The remaining three encounters are also expected to be closely-fought.
Pakistan Over-60s, in view of managing workload during marathon ODI series, opted to give rest to some of their players in the warm-up game against Lincolnshire in which they fielded two local Pakistani players, Wahaj Mirza and Taimoor Alam.
Half centuries from wicketkeeper Tahir Rasheed (76 off 43 balls), Ashraf Pakhali (68 off 63 balls) and Muhammad Aslam (62 off 63 balls) allowed Pakistan Over-60s to install a formidable total of 294 despite three-wicket haul from Muhammad Sultan.
Chasing 295 in 45 overs, Lincolnshire got off to solid start through their opening pair. Keams perished after scoring 38 off 37 balls but his partner, Roberts, remained undefeated on 112 off 108 balls. Number three Muhammad Sultan also contributed 40 off 46 balls but the county side fell behind the clock after losing a couple of quick wickets to Sagheer Abbas. Roberts was adjudged Player of the Match even though he was unable to take his team over the line.