Six-star Safi helps Faisalabad dismiss Multan for 245

KARACHI: Rookie left-arm spinner Ahmed Safi continued to impress with the leather as he picked 6-68 to enable Faisalabad to dismiss Multan for 245 in their first innings on the opening day of their four-day final of the Quaid-e-Azam Trophy Grade-II at Multan Cricket Stadium on Sunday.

Ahmed, who has been a trump card for the Misbah-ul-Haq-led Faisalabad in the second-tier event so far, once again showed that he is a future prospect. The 19-year-old has played a key role in Faisalabad’s impressive showing in the event.

Ahmed was amply backed by talented medium-pacer Naseer Akram, who captured 2-46.

Multan’s Imran Rafiq, however, defied all the odds and hit a spectacular unbeaten 130 for the hosts, who were invited to bat by Misbah-ul-Haq.

Imran, who carried the whole batting work-load on his promising shoulders, hammered 11 fours in his 198-ball epic knock.

Wicket-keeper batsman Gulraiz Sadaf hit 19 from 17 balls, striking one four. Left-handed opener Zain Abbas belted 17, while Abdul Rehman Muzammil and Rizwan Haider scored 16 runs each.

In reply, Faisalabad were 33 without loss at stumps.

Ahsan Reza and Asif Yaqoob are supervising the match, while Ali Naqvi is the match referee. Mohammad Akbar is the official scorer.

The winners will qualify for the Quaid-e-Azam trophy first-class this year.