Arshad shows class as allrounder

Arshad Ali, the Emirates Cricket Board (ECB) team opener and leg spinner, has proved his calibre as an outstanding allrounder.

Known more for his exploits with the bat, Arshad during the ECB's present tour of Sri Lanka and Singapore has shown his ability as a strike bowler too.

On Sunday, Arshad bowled a brilliant spell of 5 for 10 to rip through Kuwait's batting line-up and help ECB register an emphatic 166-run victory in the Asian Cricket Council (ACC) Trophy.

"I am pleased with my bowling against Kuwait, especially on a batting wicket. We had made 289 on that wicket and so when I was asked to bowl, I did not expect to run through the Kuwait batting.

"However, I generated good turn and they fell one after the other," remarked Arshad to Gulf News from Singapore.

Talking about his batting form, Arshad said: "So far in this tour I have given my team a good start both in Sri Lanka and Singapore. Unfortunately, I have not got a big score but I have been scoring above 40 and helping the team get a good start."

Arshad' s main aim is to counter the pace attack. "The first ten overs are very tough. So I try to stay on and see the team to a good total.

"I missed two fifties in Sri Lanka and also one fifty here, but I am happy that I have been able to assist in setting up a good score," said Arshad, who had scored a superb 102 against Ireland in the International Cricket Council (ICC) Trophy last year.

"The practice matches we played in Sri Lanka were really tough. The Sri Lankan teams had very good players and I am happy that I bowled and batted well against them too," added Arshad, who played a big role in ECB's lone victory in Sri Lanka against NCC Under 23 XI.

Arshad hit 42 and bagged two wickets in that match. He missed a half century by one run in ECB's second match against Sri Lanka Cricket Board Development team.

"The Sri Lankan tour was a good experience, especially since we had to play against some of the finest players in their country," said Arshad, who had cracked a superb 87 in April against the Sri Lankan national team during a practice match against ECB at the Dubai Cricket Council ground.

Arshad was inspired by the exploits of his elder brother Shafiq Ahmed, another prolific scorer in domestic cricket.

Starting with Al Zayed Packaging team, Arshad joined the Expat Cricket Club and now plays for the Emirates Airlines team.

Arshad is hoping to do well in today's match against Nepal too. "They have a very good team and also good spinners. I am very keen to do well against them too and help my team win."

Like in the ICC Trophy, Arshad is hoping to score heavily in the ACC Trophy too. "I want to get a big score in the semi final or final and help my team emerge the champions," he said.