By By Alam Zeb Safi
In another match, Zarai Taraqiati Bank Limited (ZTBL) edged out Lahore Shalimar by 97 runs.Here at the National Stadium, while chasing a target of 477, Khan Research Laboratories (KRL) resumed their overnight total on 167 for four and perished at 241 in 67.2 overs.
Saeed Anwar Junior, who was batting on 63 when the bails were drawn on Sunday, played a patient unbeaten innings of 122 with 16 exquisite boundaries. Bazid Khan was the only other batsman who showed some resistance to the top spin attack of the bankers by making 39 with seven boundaries. For HBL left arm spinner Abdul Rehman took four for 65 while Danish Kaneria captured three for 82. Rehman took five while Kaneria claimed seven wickets in the match.
Habib Bank had scored 222 and 384 while KRL posted 130 and 241. Meanwhile, at the Abbottabad Cricket Stadium, while chasing 360 to win, Abbottabad were routed for 159 in 57.5 overs. Adnan Raees remained top scorer with 58. Pacer Tanvir Ahmed took eight for 53, finishing with 13 wickets in the match while Muhammad Sami and Atif Maqbool picked up one wicket each. Earlier, Karachi Blues declared their second innings on 262 for four with Asad Shafique scoring unbeaten 103 while Asim Kamal made 87. Karachi Blues had scored 335 and 262 declared while Abbottabad staged 238 and 159.
At the LCCA Ground in Lahore, strongly backed by their experienced bowling attack, Zarai Taraqiati Bank Limited (ZTBL) also grabbed full nine points when they ousted Lahore Shalimar by 97 runs. Chasing 408 to win, Lahore Shalimar resumed their second innings on 166 for three and were dismissed for 310 in 108.5 overs.
Opener Abid Ali, who was at the crease on 81 at stumps on Sunday, added just five runs to his personal total before he was caught by Zulqarnain behind the wickets off the bowling of Junaid Nadir for 86. Salman Khan (53) and Ali Reza (36 not out) were the other main contributors.
For ZTBL off-spinner Saeed Ajmal took three, finishing with seven wickets in the match. Sohail Tanvir and Rao Iftikhar captured two wickets each. ZTBL had accumulated 264 and 308 while Lahore Shalimar had made 165 and 310.
Here at the UBL Ground No 1, Saeed Bin Nasir and Rizwan Ahmad slammed centuries to save Sui Southern Gas Corporation (SSGC) from a real defeat as their match against Pakistan International Airlines (PIA) ended in a draw. However, PIA got three points as a result of first innings lead.
Chasing a mammoth target of 445, SSGC resumed their second innings on 59 for two. However, after fall of Wajid Ali on 28, both Saeed Bin Nasir and Rizwan Ahmad batted with great responsibility and shared 169 runs for the fourth wicket before Saeed Bin Nasir lost his wicket for 126. He hit 15 fours and a six in his match saving knock. Rizwan Ahmad remained not out on 117 with ten fours and two sixes as SSGC closed the match at 296 for four in their second innings.
Aizaz Bin Ilyas took two wickets. Multan also played a draw against Faisalabad at the Iqbal Stadium in Faisalabad. Chasing 337 to win, Faisalabad scored 235 for six at close in their second innings. Opener Imran Ali (63) and Hassan Mehmood (56) were the main scorers. Abdul Rauf and Tahir Maqsood grabbed two wickets each.
Similarly, at the Gaddafi Stadium in Lahore, the match between WAPDA and National Bank also ended in a draw. Chasing 226, National Bank were restricted to 156 for seven in 62 overs with Naumanullah emerging as top scorer with 52. Mustafa Iqbal grabbed four wickets for WAPDA.