KARACHI: Former Test batsmen Basit Ali Monday hailed debutants young guns Anwar Ali and Bilawal Bhatti for their pivotal role in Pakistan's impressive 23-runs triumph over powerful South Africans in the opening One-Day International in Cape Town.
"What a spectacular start by two exciting young players under pressure to steer Pakistan to victory by contributing both with the bat and ball. It was great arrival on the scene by Anwar and Bilawal," beaming attacking batsman Basit Alt told APP.
He recalled that he was advocating for Bilawal Bhatti for the past years but selectors failed to pay heed to it.
Basit Ali was of opinion that future of Pakistan cricket was with young and talent players, who should be groomed properly.
"The brilliant show by Anwar and Bilawal which even surprised pundits of the games and jampack stadium and commentators," he said.
"Fighting batting was a slap on the face of front ranked batsmen, who again failed to put the team under pressure," he said.
He slammed selectors for not including merited and talent players in the team which was causing trouble in the national team batting time and again.
He called for inducting selectors calibre of Rashid Latif, Aamir Sohail Sohail, Mushtaq Muhammad and other legends, who under stand the game and got the eye to spot talent.
Karachi-born all-rounder Anwar Ali blasted an unbeaten 43 off 55 ball which was studded with half a dozen boundaries and snapped-up two wickets for 24 including the prized scalp of top batsman Jacques Kallis.
Anwar Ali won the man of the match award on his one- day debut.
Bilawal Bhatti and Anwar shared 74 runs 8th wicket stand which was second best stand in ODIs this year. Bilalwal smashed an enterprising 25-ball 39 with three fours and brace of sixes and took three wickets for 37 runs.
"It was an amazing and exciting debut by Anwar and Bilawal which warmed the hearts of Pakistan's cricket supporters across the world," he concluded.
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