Moin Khan, Mushtaq Ahmed fail in comeback bids

Former Pakistani cricket captain Moin Khan and leg-spinner Mushtaq Ahmed failed in their comeback bids, fairing poorly in a trial match to assess the form and fitness of players before the home season.

Khan managed to score only 13, even as his team -- Shafiq Ahmed XI -- made 237-8 in the allotted 50 overs against Mohsin Khan XI, the South Asian Dispatch Agency (SADA) reported. Crowd trouble marred the trial match announced by the Pakistan Cricket Board.

Police had to baton charge intruders at the main gate, while play was halted when spectators pelted stones at fielders and captain Waqar Younis threatened to walk out with the team.

Left-handed opener Taufiq Umer top-scored with a fighting 70 off 90 balls. All rounder Azhar Mahmood, 45, Younis Khan, 33, and Hasan Raza, 25, were the other main run-getters.

Ace pacer Wasim Akram was announced to lead the Shafiq Ahmed XI, but could not return from London in time. He will play in the second trial game Friday.

Off-spinner Shoaib Malik returned with the best bowling figures for Mohsin Khan XI, taking 3-31. Saeed Anwar and Rana Naveedul Hasan took two wickets each.

Captain Waqar Younis conceded 33 in five overs. Mushtaq Ahmed gave away 43 in his 10 without taking a wicket.

In reply, Faisal Iqbal hit 73 not out to help Mohsin Khan XI reach the target in 48.4 overs, losing seven wickets. Iqbal hit seven fours and with him Rashid Latif hit 25 with three fours and a six.

Earlier, Saeed Anwar, 33, and Imran Nazir, 37, hit 79 for the opening wicket. Azam Hussain took three wickets for Shafiq XI while Danish Kaneria and Yasir Arafat took two wickets each.

--Indo-Asian News Service