Sameen’s eight-for destroys HBL

KARACHI: Rookie fast bowler Sameen Gul produced his career-best figures of 8-44 to enable United Bank Limited (UBL) to dismiss Habib Bank Limited (HBL) for a paltry total of 139 in their first innings on the opening day of their four-day sixth round Pool A fixture of the Quaid-e-Azam Trophy at Multan Cricket Stadium on Saturday.

The 17-year-old from Khyber Agency, playing only his fifth first-class game, folded Imran Farhat-led HBL in only 50.2 overs with his ferocious bowling. His are the best figures in the event so far.

Mohammad Abbas (8-46) of KRL and Khalid Usman (8-63) of WAPDA have also achieved eight-for in the competitions.

Faheem Ashraf (29), Amad Butt (26) and opener Fakhar Zaman (20) were the main contributors. UBL were 18-1, in response, at stumps.

Pakistan International Airlines’ (PIA) batting once again failed to click when they were bowled out for only 121 in their first innings by Khan Research Laboratories (KRL) at Sports Stadium, Sargodha.

Fahad Iqbal (62*) was the only batsman to offer some resistance to the pace battery of KRL, who have already qualified for the Super Eight stage of the 16-team tournament.

Fahad struck seven fours and one six in his unbeaten fifty. Shoaib Khan Senior (26) and Shehzar Mohammad (12) were the only others to manage double figures.

Pacer Ahmed Bashir picked 4-33. Left-arm pacer Sadaf Hussain (3-32) and Mohammad Abbas (2-25) also bowled with tight line and length.

KRL, in response, were 97-3 at close with Junaid Ali scoring 44 off 62 balls, cracking seven fours. Hassan Raza made 29 with five fours. Off-spinner Tahir Khan (3-10) took all the three wickets.

In another Pool B outing, at Iqbal Stadium, Faisalabad, Test cricketer Taufeeq Umar (69) and Khurram Shahzad (63) struck fighting fifties to propel holders Sui Northern Gas Pipelines Limited (SNGPL) to 222-6 in their first innings against National Bank of Pakistan (NBP).

The duo added 128 runs for the fifth wicket with left-handed Taufeeq hitting seven fours from 223 balls and Shahzad smacking ten fours from 95 balls.

Skipper Mohammad Hafeez hammered 42 off 82 balls with five fours. Pacemen Atif Jabbar (3-64) and Afaq Ahmed (3-67) bowled well.

In a Pool A match, at Jinnah Stadium, Sialkot, Asif Zakir (128*) and stand-in skipper Fawad Alam (92) steered Sui Southern Gas Company (SSGC) to 361-5 in their first innings against group leaders WAPDA, who have already made it to the Super Eight stage with 43 points.

Asif and Fawad put on 159 runs for the fourth wicket partnership. Asif, who struck his third century in the event, clobbered 15 fours and two sixes in his 225-ball unbeaten knock. Fawad hammered 15 fours in his 96-ball effort.

Saifullah Bangash (54) and Awais Zia (44) also batted well.

At UBL Sports Complex, Karachi,

FATA bowled Karachi Whites for 257 in their first innings. Saad Ali struck 58 off 112 balls, striking seven fours. Hamza Ghanchi belted 47 with four boundaries. Mohammad Asad made 37 with four fours and a six.

Left-arm pacer Saad Altaf bowled tightly and picked 4-63. Ifranullah claimed 3-84.

In response, FATA were five for the loss of one wicket at stumps.

In a Pool A clash, at National Stadium, Karachi, young pacer Bilawal Iqbal got 4-48 to help Lahore Blues skittle Karachi Blues out for 153 in their first innings after they were asked to bat.

Adeel Malik (66) and Khurram Shahzad (36) added 87 for the ninth wicket.

Adeel struck nine fours and a six in his 52-ball knock. Khurram struck three fours from 54 balls. Lahore Blues were reeling at 118-5, in response, at close. Waqas Saleem (32), Zain-ul-Hasnain (32) and Agha Saleem (27) were the main scorers.

Adeel Malik and Mohammad Waqas captured two wickets each.

Lahore Whites reached 174-8 in their first innings at stumps against Rawalpindi at LCCA Ground, Lahore.

Asif Raza was at the crease on 39 in which he had hit two fours and a six. Anas Mehmood fell for 36 and Qaiser Ashraf scored 30. Abid Hussain claimed 3-47.