Ingram still harbours hopes of playing for South Africa

Sharjah - The southpaw bludgeoned his way to 127 off just 59 balls

Pakistan Super League part of Sharjah has produced some stunning matches and Karachi Kings versus Quetta Gladiators was one of them.
Unbeaten Quetta put up 186 on board and Karachi were in deep trouble after losing two wickets in the first two overs but Colin Ingram had different plans.
The South African became the first foreign player to hit a century in the PSL and it is also the first by any player this season. The southpaw bludgeoned his way to 127 off just 59 balls and fired Karachi to a much-needed victory.
Talking to media after the match, Ingram said: "It is unfortunate that I am not the part of the national team. It is more than four years and I always keep my phone open that I may receive a call from selectors but it has not happened yet.
"Luckily there are a lot of T20 tournaments in the world which provide chances to players like me to remain in the business. I have been playing County cricket and I have moved on. It really is a difficult question for me."
Karachi have struggled in the early part of the tournament and it was a welcome win for them. Since the final of the PSL will be played in Karachi, the home team would like to be among the finalists.
"We have struggled in the early matches and this sort of comeback was much needed. I am ready to go to Karachi and would love my team to be in the final. One game changes the momentum and I hope we win the next few games and qualify for knockout stage and then for the final," the South African added.   
While answering a question about his 50-ball century, the left-hander said: "I have played some other knocks in this sort of situation in the County cricket but it was special because team needed it most.
"I stayed calm and took some early chances against Mohammad Nawaz and inexperienced Ghulam Mudassar which went my way."
Gladiators' Sarfraz Ahmed was all praise for Ingram and gave all the credit to the South African.
"This was one of the best T20 innings I have ever seen in my cricketing career. He was positive from the start and gave us chance to contain him.
"He only won the match for Karachi and dominated the bowling from the word go."
Quetta have played five matches and it was their first defeat in this PSL. They mostly depend on spinning duo - Nawaz and Fawad Ahmed.
"Our fast bowling was exposed today because we have got only one experienced quickie - Sohail Tanvir.
"Anwar Ali has been in and out of the national team and Ghulam Mudassar is too young. It is just a start and we might change combination for next matches," the Quetta captain added.
liaqat@khaleejtimes.com