SSGC in driving seat after Asif Zakir’s 200 not out

KARACHI: Asif Zakir hit an unbeaten double hundred as Sui Southern Gas Company (SSGC) tightened the noose around Pool A leaders WAPDA on the second day of their four-day sixth round fixture of the Quaid-e-Azam Trophy at Jinnah Stadium, Sialkot, on Sunday.

The 33-year-old Karachi-born Asif, who was batting on 128 on Saturday, struck 200 not out as SSGC declared their first innings at 529-8 after resuming at 361-5.

Asif struck 23 fours and three sixes in his superb 380-ball knock. He added 79 for the sixth wicket with Tariq Haroon (37), who struck three fours and a six from 103 balls.

Asif then put on 99 for the seventh wicket with international all-rounder Yasir Arafat (60), who smacked seven fours from 71 deliveries.

Asif took his personal score to 503 in the event, 85 runs shy of Kamran Akmal who is on the top with 588. Leg-spinner Mansoor Amjad captured 3-46.

WAPDA, in response, were reeling at 101-5. Zahid Mansoor was at the crease on 50 in which he had hit seven fours. Pacemen Ahmed Jamal (3-22) and Tariq Haroon (2-41) blew the top order.

In a Pool B game, at Sports Stadium, Sargodha, off-spinner Tahir Khan’s (8-102) terrific bowling failed to help Pakistan International Airlines (PIA) as they conceded a substantial lead. PIA, who had been bowled out for 121, dismissed Khan Research Laboratories (KRL) for 339 after they had resumed from 97-3.

Tahir became the fourth bowler to grab eight wickets in an innings in the event.

Nouman Ali (61), batting at No 8, hammered nine fours and a six in his fighting fifty. Skipper Saeed Anwar Junior (57) and Abdul Rehman Muzammil (56) put on 119 for the fifth wicket to help their side secure 218 runs lead.

PIA were tottering at 25-2 in their second innings at stumps.

At National Stadium, Karachi, Lahore Blues made a strong fight-back when resuming from 118-5 they scored 262 all out in response to Karachi Blues’ 153.

Fahad-ul-Haq made a fighting 75 off 160 balls, striking 11 fours. Fast bowler Adeel Malik once again impressed with the leather by picking 5-49.

After conceding 107 runs lead, Karachi Blues were 139-3 in their second innings at stumps. Skipper Khurram Manzoor (58) and Fazal Subhan (55) shared 98 runs for the second wicket.

At Iqbal Stadium, Faisalabad, National Bank of Pakistan (NBP) were in deep trouble against holders Sui Northern Gas Pipelines Limited (SNGPL).

After dismissing SNGPL for 262 they were reeling at 112-6 in their first innings at close.

Usman Salahuddin struck 40 off 88 balls, smashing two fours. Hussain Talat and seam bowler from FATA Manzoor Khan claimed two wickets each.

SNGPL had resumed their first innings at 222-6 and lost their last four wickets for 40 runs.

Adil Akram (20*) and Hussain Talat (16) also made some contribution.

At UBL Sports Complex, Karachi,

FATA bowled Karachi Whites for only 134 in their second innings, which set a target of 213 runs for FATA.

Mohammad Hassan (33), Saad Ali (30) and Faraz Ali (29) were the main contributors. Zeeshan Khan and Saad Altaf picked four wickets each.

Karachi Whites had gained 78 runs lead.

FATA were four without a loss while chasing.

Earlier, in response to Karachi Whites’ first innings total of 257, FATA were bowled out for 179 with Mohammad Naeem (105) giving his team’s total some respectability. Naeem hit 17 fours in his superb 155-ball century, the second of his first-class career. Fast bowler Tabish Khan claimed 7-56.

Test cricketer Shan Masood (106) slammed a fine hundred as United Bank Limited (UBL) gained lead against Habib Bank Limited (HBL).

They reached 261-6 in their first innings at stumps in response to HBL’s 139. After losing two quick wickets, Shan, who struck 13 fours, added 75 runs for the third wicket with Sohaib Maqsood (42). International all-rounder Hammad Azam (42*) and Yasim Murtaza (25*) then added 57 for the seventh wicket unbroken association to consolidate their team’s position.

Afghan pacer Yamin Ahmadzai and left-arm spinner Zohaib Khan captured two wickets each.

At LCCA Ground, Lahore, Rawalpindi were struggling at 171-7 in response to Lahore Whites’ 190. Kashif Bhatti was batting on 40 in which he hit seven fours. Nazar Hussain (23*) was at the other end. Asif Raza got 4-33.

Earlier, Lahore Whites resumed their first innings at 174-8 and were folded after adding 16 runs.