Rehman, Usman guide HBL to convincing win

KARACHI: Test spinner Abdul Rehman and left-arm young international pacer Usman Khan Shinwari guided Habib Bank Limited (HBL) to a ten-wicket victory over National Bank of Pakistan (NBP) in the Quaid-e-Azam Trophy 2016-17 outing here on Tuesday.

On the fourth and last day of the Group II fixture at State Bank of Pakistan (SBP) Ground, Rehman, who had picked 4-52 in the first innings, claimed 4-58 and Shinwari bagged 4-40 to dismiss NBP for 184 in their second innings after they had conceded a 160-run first innings lead. HBL then chased the 25-run target in 7.1 overs without losing any wicket.

Usman Salahuddin, who had struck unbeaten 112 in the first innings, was the only batsman to show some resolve by making 56. Usman struck six fours and one six in his 114-ball effort.

Hamza Paracha (27), Ahsan Ali (23*) and Atif Jabbar (21) were the other notable contributors.

NBP scored 279 in their first innings. HBL in response posted 439-9 declared. The win helped HBL open their account with nine points.

In the other Group II match, the last season’s runners-up United Bank Limited (UBL) survived a scare when they held Khan Research Laboratories (KRL) to a draw at Niaz Stadium, Hyderabad, with the former securing three points due to first innings lead.

Set to score 349 in 72 overs, UBL were 233-8 in 63 overs when the game was ended due to bad light. All-rounder Yasim Murtaza was the leading scorer with 48 in which he struck six fours. He added 96 for the seventh wicket with international all-rounder Hammad Azam, who belted 36 with five fours.

Earlier, international hard-hitting batsman Sohaib Maqsood (46) and opener Shan Masood (45) lost while trying to score quickly.

Sohaib struck five fours and a six in his 56-ball knock. Test opener Shan smacked seven fours from 49 balls.

Fast bowler Mohammad Abbas took 3-64, for match figures of 8-126. The Sialkot-born right-armer has so far bagged 59 wickets in the season and is on the top.

Spinner Nayyar Abbas (2-32) and pacer Yasir Ali (2-47) grabbed two wickets each.

KRL, who had 53 runs lead, resumed their second innings at 232-6 and were skittled out for 295. Zulfiqar Jan struck 25 with three fours. Left-arm spinner Yasim picked 4-66. Young paceman Sameen Gul clinched 3-56.

KRL manager Rashid Iqbal said his boys made a valiant effort. “The boys put in their best and brought the team very close to victory. I think we should have won the match,” Rashid told ‘The News’.

“It was purely a batting pitch but our bowlers bowled with great skill,” Rashid said.

KRL scored 293 in their first innings. In reply, UBL perished for 240.

In the second round, which will begin from November 26, KRL will face HBL in a day-night game here at National Stadium.

In the other outing of Group II, NBP will lock horns with UBL at UBL Sports Complex.

In Group I, WAPDA will face Karachi Whites here at NBP Sports Complex.

Holders Sui Northern Gas Pipelines Limited (SNGPL) will meet Sui Southern Gas Company (SSGC) here at SBP Ground.

SSGC defeated Karachi Whites by five wickets on Monday. WAPDA outclassed SNGPL by 189 runs.

One team from each group will qualify for the day-night, five-day final which will be held at National Stadium from December 10-14.