Cricbeat

Naveed Arif, Pakistan born all-rounder playing for Sussex, scored century in his 2nd game of this year’s county championship to avoid Lancashire a victory. Naveed Arif’s innings lasted for 131 balls, he scored 100 not out with help of 8 fours and 4 sixes. His century came off against a decent bowling attack which included Fareez Maharoof, Sri Lanka’s fast bowler, and Sajid Mahmood. That was also Naveed’s maiden First Class century.

Naveed Arif Gondal, aged 29, was on born in Mandi Bahauddin and made his Firs Class debut in 2001-02. He is a left-arm fast bowler and left-hand batsman and has played for Gujranwala Cricket Association, Sialkot and Sialkot Stallions.

Currently he (Naveed Arif)  is playing for Sussex as an English because of his Danish wife. England allows only one overseas player in First Class games of county championship. Sussex’ overseas player of this season is another Pakistani i.e Rana Naveed-ul-Hassan.

Naveed Arif has a good First Class record; 146 wickets in 31 matches at average of 23.58 with 10 5-wicket hauls. But today he shined as a batsman by scoring century at crucial time. He also took 3 wickets in 1st innings of Lancashire.

Arif added 90 runs with Monty Panesar for 10th wicket partnership.  Sussex ended with 455 for 9, a lead of 155. Earlier Sussex were bowled out on 290 in 1st innings in reply to Lancashire’s 590 in 1st innings. Sussex were followed on and at one instant it looked like Lancashire will win but Naveed Arif’s resistance denied Lancashire their 3rd consecutive win.