Pakistan’s Over-60s side clinched a commanding 88-run victory over IMC Emerging XI in their second match of the IMC Over-60s Cricket World Cup 2026, played on Monday at Teramoto Ground, Mississauga.
IMC Emerging XI after winning the toss, invited Pakistan to bat first. Pakistan got off to a brisk start, with the fifty coming up inside seven overs and although Raja Arshad Hayat fell for 14, Pakistan kept up the tempo. Mazhar Hussain made 29 and Muhammad Jaffar Qureshi scored 33 before both departed, but Saghir Abbas struck a valuable 40 off 45 balls. A late unbroken stand between Babar Altaf Butt, who finished not out on 30, and Syed Zafar Ali, unbeaten on 47 off 44 balls, powered Pakistan to 241-6 in their 45 overs. Mahmood Ahmad was the pick of the IMC Emerging XI bowlers with figures of 2-31, while David Dabare took 1-35.
Chasing 242 for victory, IMC Emerging XI never really got ahead of the required rate, managing just 23 runs in the Powerplay. Syed Zafar Ali was outstanding with the ball, returning figures of 4-19 from 7.2 overs, including two wickets in the same over, while Muhammad Jaffar Qureshi also chipped in with a couple of wickets. Fawad Ijaz Khan, Aamir Hameed and Ather Minhas also took one wicket each, returning figures of 1-2, 1-25 and 1-31 respectively. Rafiullah Syed and Ishrat Ansari offered some resistance for IMC Emerging XI, managing 45 and 31 runs respectively, but the side was eventually bowled out for 153 in 37.2 overs. Syed Zafar Ali was named Player of the Match for his valuable all-round contribution. Pakistan Over-60s side will play their next match against Sri Lanka on 13th August.
In other Pool A matches, Australia comprehensively defeated South Africa by seven wickets, while Wales secured a second win, beating Canada by 35 runs. In Pool B, USA overcame India by 19 runs, England overpowered Scotland by nine wickets and New Zealand outclassed Zimbabwe by 162 runs.
