LAHORE (Abdul Basit): Pakistan Shaheens delivered a clinical all-round performance to defeat the Professional County Club (PCC) Select XI by five wickets in the third and final one-day match at the 1st Central County Ground, sealing the series 2-1 on Sunday.
Match-winning half-centuries by Azan Awais and Haider Ali proved decisive in the series decider. Chasing 261, the Shaheens were off to a flying start, courtesy of a 102-run opening stand between Azan Awais and Shamyl Hussain. Azan anchored the innings with a composed 88 off 104 balls, including 12 fours and a six, while Shamyl contributed 40 off 55 before falling to Calvin Harrison in the 20th over.
Muhammad Suleman came in with positive intent, hammering 44 off 40 balls, punctuated by four boundaries and three sixes, pushing the Shaheens to 131-1. However, a brief collapse followed as Saud Shakeel departed cheaply for 1 and Azan fell short of a deserved century, leaving the visitors at 204-4 in the 37th over.
Haider Ali ensured no further hiccups, crafting a brilliant unbeaten 55 off 40 balls (5 fours, 3 sixes). Alongside Rohail Nazir (6*), Haider guided the Shaheens to a comfortable victory in 46.1 overs, completing the chase with poise and maturity.
Earlier, PCC XI opted to bat and posted 260 before being bowled out in 46.4 overs. Ubaid Shah starred with the ball, claiming 4-41, including the key wickets of Will Smeed and Hamza Shaikh. Musa Khan chipped in with two wickets, while Mir Hamza and Saud Shakeel took one apiece.
Tom Lawes (49), Ollie Sykes (64), and Thomas Rew (44) were the main contributors for the hosts, supported by a gritty 66-run eighth-wicket partnership between Rew and Calvin Harrison (34). However, regular breakthroughs prevented PCC from setting a daunting target.
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