UBL-WAPDA match evenly poised

KARACHI: The Group II match of the Super Eight stage of Quaid-e-Azam Trophy between defending champions WAPDA and United Bank Limited (UBL) was evenly poised here at NBP Sports Complex on Sunday.

On the second day of the second round outing, in response to WAPDA’s first innings total of 243, UBL reached 210-7 in 68 overs at stumps.

At one stage, UBL were reeling at 63-4, but opener Umar Siddiq (67) and international Mohammad Nawaz (70*) shared 103 runs for the fifth wicket to make a strong recovery.

Siddiq smashed eight fours from 151 balls. Nawaz, who has played three Tests and nine One-day Internationals, smacked ten fours in his 143-ball unfinished knock, giving his side some chance of gaining lead.

Zahid Mansoor (2-28), Khalid Usman (2-31) and Waqas Maqsood (2-59) bowled well.

Resuming their first innings at 206-6, WAPDA were all out after adding only 37 runs.

Test stumper Kamran Akmal, who was batting on six, fell for 22 which had three fours.

Left-arm pacer Mir Hamza was the pick of the bowlers with 5-45.

Test discard Ehsan Adil, who picked three out of four wickets that fell on Sunday, finished with 3-57.

In a Group I meeting, here at State Bank of Pakistan Ground, Test discard Umar Gul (5-19) bowled splendidly to enable Habib Bank Limited (HBL) to force Lahore Blues to follow on as they were folded for only 68 in their first innings after resuming at 9-1 in response to the bankers’ total of 252.

Tail-enders Bilawal Iqbal (29) and Farhan Khan (10) were the only batsmen who managed double figures.

Lahore Blues reached 215-5 in the second innings, for a lead of 31 runs.

Saad Nasim smashed 60 off 56 balls, striking five fours and three sixes. He added 89 runs for the fifth wicket with experienced Raza Ali Dar, who was batting on 49. Dar had hit seven fours from 96 balls.

Haris Nazar contributed 40 off 54 balls which featured six fours and a six.

Medium fast bowler Ammad Butt got 2-43.

Khan Research Laboratories (KRL) gained 29 runs lead when they dismissed Sui Southern Gas Company (SSGC) for 148 after posting 177 in their first innings in their Group II match here at the UBL Sports Complex.

Wicket-keeper batsman Saifullah Bangash, who batted at No8, showed great resolve, scoring solid 63 off 98 balls. The 22-year-old Bangash, having represented Karachi Kings in the Pakistan Super League, smacked ten fours.

Vehari-born 22-year-old pacer Ahmed Bashir produced career-best figures of 7-53 in 17 overs.

KRL were 85-2 in their second innings at stumps with Jaahid Ali batting on 44 which had eight fours.

In a Group I fixture, at Niaz Stadium, Hyderabad, former champions Sui Northern Gas Pipelines Limited (SNGPL) posted 411 in their first innings after resuming at 314-5 against Lahore Whites.

Yasir Shah (41) and Asad Ali (31*) shared 63 runs for the ninth wicket. Yasir hit six fours and one six in his quick-fire 42-ball knock. Asad smacked three fours and one six in his 30-ball unbeaten effort.

Sialkot-born emerging fast bowler Umaid Asif claimed 6-114. In reply, Lahore Whites were 226-5 at close. Mohammad Mohsin (56*) was at the crease, having smashed six fours and two sixes in his rapid 53-ball innings.

Hamza Akbar scored a patient 51 off 108 balls, striking nine fours. Test pacer Mohammad Abbas (2-35) and Azizullah (2-45) were the successful bowlers.