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Quaid-e-Azam Trophy, 8th round, 2nd day

NBP in driving seat against Pakistan Customs

Cricinfo staff

December 2, 2007

Group A

Pakistan Customs surrendered the first-innings lead to National Bank of Pakistan (NBP) at the NBP Sports Complex after being dismissed for 242 chasing NBP's 265. Wahab Riaz was Customs' destroyer-in-chief as he picked up a career-best 6 for 64. Customs had to rely on a 127-run fifth-wicket stand between Asif Iqbal (73) and captain Zahoor Elahi, who missed his second successive century by nine runs. Although NBP lost opener Nasir Jamshed for a second-ball duck, Imran Nazir (71) and Naumanullah (46) took the score to 130 in only 22 overs. NBP are now 153 runs ahead with nine wickets remaining.

Hyderabad performed a giant-killing act by bowling out Water and Power Development Authority (WAPDA) for 172 thus gaining a 167-run lead at the Niaz Stadium. WAPDA were reeling at 68 for 7 before tail-ender Kashif Raza lifted them past 100 with an unbeaten 64 which included seven fours. Hyderabad's slow left-arm spinner Kashif Bhatti picked up 5 for 35 runs in 14 overs. The home side reached 29 without loss before stumps.

Habib Bank Limited (HBL) gained a first-innings lead over Multan at the Multan Cricket Stadium by ending the second day on 276 for 8 in reply to the home side's 220. After opener Rafatullah Mohmand missed his century by 10 runs, wicketkeeper Humayun Farhat's 55 off 48 balls, with 11 fours, took Habib Bank past Multan's total. Kamran Hussain and Hasan Raza aided the scoring with useful contributions as HBL look certain to maintain their position at the top of the group.

During an almost full day's play at the Jinnah Stadium, Sui Southern Gas Company (SSGC) made 269 against Sialkot. Opener Asif Zakir was dismissed for 98 while captain Atiq-uz-Zaman (48) and wicketkeeper Ahmed Zeeshan (60 not out) added 72 runs for the sixth wicket. By close, Sialkot had replied with 99 for 2, thanks to a fifty by opener Kamran Younis.

Faisalabad compiled a massive 499 in their first innings against Karachi Whites at the Iqbal Stadium but the visitors fought back well to end the day at 106 without loss. Karachi openers Khalid Latif (54 not out) and Asad Shafiq (49 not out) staged a spirited fightback but they still required another 254 just to avoid the follow-on. Resuming on 260 for 4, centurion Asif Hussain and Imran Ahmed departed early to make it 278 for 6. However, a maiden first-class century by 26-year-old wicketkeeper Mohammad Salman (126 off 162 balls) which included several decent partnerships with the lower order took the hosts to 499 which is likely to earn them at least three batting points.

Group B

Powered by three centuries, Pakistan International Airlines (PIA) declared their first-innings on 564 for 5 at the Gaddafi Stadium but Lahore Shalimar fought back to end the day at 52 without loss. A 224-run sixth-wicket partnership between Fahad Iqbal (156*) and Anwar Ali, who scored 100 off only 107 deliveries. Although Mohammad Naved managed three wickets, there was not much to say about the rest of Lahore's bowling attack as PIA piled up the total at nearly 4.50 runs an over.

Peshawar's last five wickets put on 190 runs as they extended their overnight 127 for 5 to 307 all out against Quetta at the Arbab Niaz Stadium. By close, Quetta had lost three wickets with only 47 on the board. Mahfooz Sabri and Sajjad Ahmed contributed fighting 80s for Peshawar and even though Nazar Hussain picked up six wickets, it was a poor performance by the bowling side after a terrific first day in the field.

After a wash-out on the first day Zarai Taraqiati Bank Limited (ZTBL) scored 132 for 4 off 53.2 overs against Rawalpindi at the Mirpur Cricket Stadium. It was a case of failed application from the ZTBL batsmen as all of them got starts but none were able to convert it into any decent score. Inam-ul-Haq, the opener, top scored with a patient 39 off 128 deliveries.

© Daily News