Sialkot gain crucial lead against Faisalabad

KARACHI: Sialkot gained a much-needed lead against Misbah-ul-Haq-led Faisalabad on the second day of their three-day semi-final of the Quaid-e-Azam Trophy Grade-II here at National Stadium on Wednesday.

In response to Faisalabad’s first innings total of 125, Sialkot resumed their innings at 101-5 and were bowled out for 212 in 72.1 overs.

Ayaz Tasawwar (58) and Test cricketer Abdul Rehman (50) batted with responsibility to provide an 87-run lead to their team, which could put them in the final even if the match is drawn.

Ayaz, who was batting on 27 when the bails were drawn on Tuesday, hammered eight fours in his fine 110-ball knock.

Rehman struck seven fours from 92 deliveries.

Ahsan Bhatti made a crucial contribution of 26 off 110 balls, hitting four fours.

Left-arm spinner Ahmed Safi captured 4-29 in 13.1 overs. Faisalabad were 116-3 in their second innings at stumps.

They are 29 runs ahead.

Opener Ali Rafiq was batting on 58 in which he had cracked eight fours. At the other end was Khurram Shehzad on 19.

Abu Bakar (18) and skipper Misbah-ul-Haq (16) failed to play long innings which let their team down.

Test pacer Mohammad Asif, Mohammad Abbas and spinner Abdul Rehman got one wicket each.

In the other semi-final, at Multan Stadium, Multan were in a strong position, having gained a first innings lead of 110 runs and scored 157-4 in their second innings against Hyderabad by the close of the play.

Pakistan’s hard-hitting batsman Sohaib Maqsood scored unbeaten 67 off 110 balls, hitting eight fours.

Imran Rafiq made 30 with three fours. Spinner Nauman Ali got 2-29.

Earlier, in response to Multan’s first innings total of 260 all out, Hyderabad resumed their innings at 39-2 and were bowled out for 150 with Haris Khan scoring unbeaten 62 which had eight fours.

Shoaib Leghari made 34 with four fours and one six.  Left-arm pacer Zia-ul-Haq and Sadaf Mehdi got three wickets each. The champions of this event will qualify for first-class cricket.