SNGPL take slim lead as 21 wickets fall

KARACHI: Bowlers dominated the opening day of the four-day Quaid-e-Azam Trophy game between holders Sui Northern Gas Pipelines Limited (SNGPL) and Karachi Whites as 21 wickets fell inside 74.1 overs here at the UBL Sports Complex on Saturday.

SNGPL were ultimately able to gain a slender ten-run lead.

In Pool B outing, Karachi Whites’ pace duo Tabish Khan (5-23) and Ghulam Mudassir (4-59) bowled superbly to dismiss SNGPL for 128 in 41.5 overs.

Iftikhar Ahmed, who made his Test debut against England recently, top-scored with 48 which came off 68 balls including seven fours.

Test discard Taufeeq Umar (17) and international stumper Mohammad Rizwan (17) were the only other batsmen who entered double figures.

Skipper Mohammad Hafeez (5) and Test wicketkeeper Adnan Akmal (1) failed to click on the lively track.

In reply, Karachi Whites were skittled out for 118 in 23.2 overs with skipper Shahzaib Hasan top-scoring with 61. The hard-hitting batsman smacked 12 fours and a six in his 38-ball firework while opening the innings with Hamza Ghanchi (3).

Behram Khan (25) was the only other batsman to have managed double figures. Peshawar-born fast bowler Azizullah delivered a lethal spell, picking 5-42 in 8.2 overs.

Left-arm spinner Bilawal Bhatti ably backed Aziz, claiming 3-19 in six overs.

SNGPL were 29-1 in their second innings at stumps. Hafeez (8) failed again when he was bowled by Tabish Khan (1-14).

Meanwhile in Pool A clash here at the National Stadium, left-arm spinner Zia-ul-Haq took 4-33 to enable Shoaib Malik-led Sui Southern Gas Company (SSGC) dismiss Karachi Blues for 206 in their first innings.

After losing the top order cheaply, Owais Rehmani (68) gave some stability to the innings with a fine fifty which came off 183 balls and had eight fours.

He was extended a little bit support by skipper Khalid Latif (32) and Test pacer Mohammad Sami who went on to hammer 29 off 45 balls, clobbering three fours.

Zia was ably backed by all-rounder Aamer Yamin (2-28) and Shoaib Malik (2-31).

SSGC are yet to open their innings.

At the Pindi Stadium, Rawalpindi, Aizaz Cheema (3-55), Anwar Ali (3-56) and Salman Saeed (3-43) bowled with tight line and length to help struggling Pakistan International Airlines (PIA) bowl Rawalpindi out for 198 in their first innings.

Taimoor Khan was the only batter who impressed with the bat, scoring 90. The right-hander smashed 12 fours in his 121-ball knock.

In response, PIA were gasping at 55-4. Shaharyar Ghani was at the crease on 24. Sohail Tanvir (2-4) and Ataullah (2-15) bowled excellently.

Israrullah (59) and skipper Akbar Badshah (56) struck smart fifties to guide Peshawar to 252-7 in their first innings against Pool A leaders WAPDA at the Arbab Niaz Stadium, Peshawar.

The duo shared 90 runs for the third-wicket stand with Israrullah hitting 11 fours from 86 balls and Akbar smashing nine fours from 180 deliveries. Left-arm spinner Khalid Usman picked 3-48.

At the Diamond Club Ground, Islamabad, Shahid Yousuf (105) slammed his tenth first-class century to catapult Islamabad to 264-8 against last season’s runners-up United Bank Limited (UBL).

Shahid cracked 13 fours and one six from 138 balls before being bowled by medium-pacer Sameen Gul (2-31).

Left-arm medium-pacer Mir Hamza got 3-48. International all-rounder Hammad Azam snared 2-28.

At the Iqbal Stadium, Faisalabad, frontline bowlers Bilawal Iqbal, Shahid Nawaz and Mohammad Aftab captured three wickets each to enable Lahore Blues dismiss Pool A’s second-placed side Habib Bank Limited (HBL) for a paltry total of 170 in their first innings.

Fakhar Zaman and skipper Umar Gul made 33 runs each. Jamal Anwar made 27 not out late in the order.

In response, Lahore Blues were 31-1 at close.

Sardar Hassan (93) and Test discard Abdur Rehman (31*) enabled Khan Research Laboratories (KRL) reach 204-5 in their first innings against Lahore Whites at the LCCA Ground, Lahore.

Fast bowler Umaid Asif claimed 3-51.