Imam, Farhat put HBL in driving seat against UBL

KARACHI: Left-handers Imam-ul-Haq and Imran Farhat blasted fine centuries to put Habib Bank Limited (HBL) in a good position against last year’s runners-up United Bank Limited (UBL) on the first day of their four-day last round Group II fixture of the Super Eight stage of Quaid-e-Azam Trophy 2016-17 here at NBP Sports Complex on Saturday.

Young Imam (129) and Test discard Farhat (128*) shared 248 for the third-wicket stand to enable HBL reach 280-3 at stumps in their first innings in 97 overs.

The 20-year-old Imam, also nephew of chief selector Inzamam-ul-Haq, smacked 13 fours from 269 deliveries he faced during his marathon 329-minute stay at the crease. This was also the career-best knock from the potentially glorious cricketer and the second century of his career.

Farhat, who came into bat at No 4, smashed 14 fours and three sixes in his 258-ball unbeaten knock. Farhat, having represented Pakistan in 40 Tests and 58 One-Day Internationals, consumed 314 balls for his 32nd first-class hundred.

Earlier, after opting to bat first when skipper Abul Rehman won a crucial toss, HBL had to face two early blows when left-arm pacer Mir Hamza (2-41) got rid of opener Fakhar Zaman (10) and Zohaib Khan (1) in quick succession.

However, Imam and Farhat played with the sort of authority that brought their side out of the quagmire and took them to a safe position. HBL, who have 15 points, need a mere draw to qualify for the December 10-14 day-night final of the country’s premier domestic event.

Meanwhile, in a vital Group I show at Niaz Stadium Hyderabad, Test stumper Kamran Akmal once again rescued hot favourites WAPDA with a splendid fifth hundred of the season when he hit 131 not out to enable his side reach 226-5 in their first innings against Sui Southern Gas Company (SSGC).

Kamran, who took his run-tally to 957 in the event, hammered 15 fours from 222 balls in his undefeated knock. At one stage, WAPDA were reeling at 25-4. However Kamran, who came into bat at No 6, dominated the 148-run fifth-wicket stand with left-handed opening batsman Adnan Raees who fell after scoring a fine 57. Adnan, who provided a solid support to Kamran, struck five fours in his sedate 229-ball knock. He stayed for 306 minutes at the crease.

Earlier, after being invited to bat first on the sporting track, WAPDA had a disastrous start when left-arm paceman Zia-ul-Haq (1-29) got rid of skipper Salman Butt (11) before speedster Ahmed Jamal (2-33) had Zahid Mansoor (5) and Mohammad Saad (0) off successive balls to leave them reeling at 24-3.

International all-rounder Aamer Yamin (1-49) then got the vital wicket of the experienced Aamir Sajjad (1) to further add to the misery of the Lahore-based side.

After a superb fight-back, it was Fawad Alam (1-19) who got rid of Adnan Raees to break the dangerous partnership. Both WAPDA and SSGC are tied on 19 points each and the side taking lead in a drawn game or winning the match will qualify for the final.

In Group II’s inconsequential game here at UBL Sports Complex, Khan Research Laboratories (KRL) were bowled out for 244 in their first innings against National Bank of Pakistan (NBP) thanks to Usman Arshad’s splendid 121.

After opting to bat, KRL were at one stage reeling at 42-5. However Usman, who struck the 13th century of his career, added 71 for the sixth-wicket stand with Luqman Butt (32) and then shared 100 runs for the eighth wicket with Mohammad Abbas (38) to take his side to a respectable total.

Usman, son of former international and match referee Arshad Pervez, struck 12 fours from 216 balls. Luqman hammered four fours and a six from 83 balls. Abbas clobbered five fours in his valuable 103-ball knock.

Paceman Atif Jabbar bowled exceptionally well, picking 5-43. Medium pacer Mohammad Irfan got 3-27.

NBP were 16 without a loss at stumps, in response.

In the day-night Group I fixture here at National Stadium, Test cricketer Iftikhar Ahmed slammed 172 not out to enable Sui Northern Gas Pipelines Limited (SNGPL) reach 339-7 in their first innings against Karachi Whites.

Iftikhar, who hit 20 fours in his undefeated knock, shared 151 runs for the sixth wicket with Test stumper Adnan Akmal who hammered valuable 79 off 99 balls which had 11 fours.

Fast bowler Tabish Khan got 4-61, taking his tally in the season to 55.

Earlier, after being asked to bat first, SNGPL had a poor start when they were reduced to 27-3 at one stage. However, Iftikhar then added 62 runs for the fourth-wicket association with Khurram Shehzad (24) who struck four fours from 48 balls before being dismissed by Babar Rehman, the medium pacer.

Iftikhar then amassed 55 for the fifth wicket with Abu Bakar Khan who made 22 to put three-time champions back on track.