Wapda, UBL QAT clash evenly poised

KARACHI: The vital Group II match of the Super Eight stage of Quaid-i-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. However opener Umar Siddiq (67) and international Mohammad Nawaz (70*) shared 103 runs for the fifth wicket partnership to make a strong recovery. Siddiq smashed eight fours from 151 balls. Nawaz, who has played three tests and nine One-day International, smacked ten fours in his 143-ball unfinished knock. He is the only man who can enable his side to gain first innings lead. Zahid Mansoor (2-28), Khalid Usman (2-31) and Waqas Maqsood (2-59) bowled well.

Earlier, after resuming their first innings at 206-6 Wapda lost their remaining four wickets after adding only 37 runs to their overnight total. 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 fell on Sunday, finished with 3-57.

Meanwhile in Group I meetig 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 a follow-on when they were folded for only 68 in their first innings after resuming at 9-1 in response to the hosts’ total of 252. Tail-enders Bilawal Iqbal (29) and Farhan Khan (10) were the only batsmen who entered double figures.

Lahore Blues reached 215-5 in the second innings, for a lead of 31 runs with only five wickets in hand.

Saad Nasim in the lower middle order smashed 60 off 56 balls, striking five fours and three sixes. He added 89 runs for the fifth wicket association 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 after posting 177 in their first innings they dismissed Sui Southern Gas Company (SSGC) for 148 in their Group II match here at the UBL Sports Complex.

Wicket-keeper batsman Saifulah Bangash, who batted at No8, showed great resolve, scoring solid 63 off 98 balls. The 22-year old Bangash, also having represented Karachi Kings in the Pakistan Super League, smacked ten fours. Vehari-born 22-year old pacer Ahmed Bashir was the real destroyer who 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 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.

Test leggie Yasir Shah (41) and Asad Ali (31*) shared 63 runs for the ninth wicket partnership. 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 continued to perform as he claimed 6-114.

In reply, Lahore Whites were 226-5 at close. Mohammad Mohsin (56*) was still at the crease. Mohsin had smashed six fours and two sixes in his rapid 53-ball innings. Hamza Akbar struck a patient 51 off 108 balls, striking nine fours. Test pacer Mohammad Abbas (2-35) and Azizullah (2-45) were the successful bowlers.