Jamal's 7-32 and Fifty Fire Markhor IT to President's Trophy Final Triumph

Aamer Jamal produced a performance of rare completeness to drag Markhor IT Solutions to the President's Trophy title on Friday, October 30, answering his recent Test omission with bat and ball in the domestic final. Markhor had been skittled for just 112 batting first, and the final looked to be slipping away. Jamal had other ideas. The seam-bowling all-rounder tore through State Bank of Pakistan with 7 for 32 from 14 overs, including four maidens, bowling them out for 172 and keeping the deficit to only 60. He was not finished. Walking in at number eight after Atizaz Habib Khan was retired hurt, Jamal struck 55 to become his side's second-highest scorer behind Abuzar Tariq's 85, powering Markhor to 296 and setting a target of 237. The bowlers then finished the job, dismissing State Bank for 185, with Khalid Usman taking four for 38 and Jamal adding one more wicket from 14 overs for 39 runs. It was a pointed response from a player who has endured a difficult few months. Jamal played only three games in the tournament but still finished with 118 runs and 10 wickets at 18.20. He was one of seven players sent home from England midway through the tour after Pakistan lost the second Test at Lord's by 194 runs, and he missed selection for the upcoming two-Test series against Sri Lanka. In nine Tests he has scored 355 runs and taken 23 wickets, and on this evidence the selectors may soon revisit that call.