HBL, SSGC score maiden victories

KARACHI: Habib Bank Limited (HBL) and Sui Southern Gas Company (SSGC) recorded their maiden wins on the third day of their second round Super Eight stage outings of the Quaid-e-Azam Trophy 2017-18 here on Monday.

HBL overwhelmed Lahore Blues by seven wickets while SSGC put Khan Research Laboratories (KRL) out of the event when they overpowered them by six wickets despite conceding first innings lead.

In Group I fixture here at State Bank of Pakistan Ground, HBL did not face any trouble and romped to an easy win over Lahore Blues who also have to their credit a first round win over Lahore Whites.

HBL achieved the 93-run target in 18.3 overs after losing three wickets. Young allrounder Ammad Butt, who was promoted in the batting order, chipped in with an unbeaten 35-ball 44 which had five fours and three sixes. Test discard Aizaz Cheema (3-30) took all the three wickets that fell.

Earlier, after being forced to follow-on, Lahore Blues resumed their second innings at 215-5 and were folded for 276 to set an easy target for the Ahmed Shehzad-led HBL. Raza Ali Dar, who was batting on 49, fell for 50 which came off 105 balls and had featured seven fours. Salman Ali Agha, who was batting on nine, got out for 37 off 73 deliveries. He struck three fours.

Test pacer Umar Gul (3-56), left-arm test spinner Abdul Rehman (3-62) and Ammad Butt (2-43) bowled well.Gul, who had captured 5-19 in the first innings, finished with 8-85 match figures. HBL posted 252 in their first innings. In response, Lahore Blues were skittled out for only 68.

Meanwhile in Group II clash here at UBL Sports Complex, SSGC came from behind to record a much-needed win to open their account with six points. SSGC raced to the 182-run target in the 47th over after losing four wickets.

Pakistan’s solid right-hander Babar Azam (51) and Umar Amin (42) shared 84 for the third wicket partnership to make the chase easier.Babar hit seven fours and one six in his 65-ball knock. Amin smashed five fours from 93 deliveries he faced.

Skipper Fawad Alam (37*) and Asif Zakir (19*) then put on 44 for the fifth wicket unbroken stand to make their team home. Fawad hit six fours from 57 balls. Asif smashed four fours in his 25-ball unbeaten effort. Right-arm pacer Ahmed Bashir, who had produced his career-best figures of 7-53 in the first innings, captured 2-55, finishing with 9-108 in the match.

After securing a 29-run lead KRL resumed their second innings at 85-2 and were bundled out for 152. Junaid Ali, who was batting on 44, went on to hit 60 off 80 balls. He struck ten glorious fours.

Left-arm spinner Kashif Bhatti played a key role in SSGC’s cause as he captured 4-31, for 9-102 match haul.Medium pacer Azhar Attari claimed 3-26, for 6-73 match figures. KRL posted 177 in their first innings. In response, SSGC piled-up 148.

In Group II meeting here at NBP Sports Complex, defending champions WAPDA were in deep trouble as they set only 189 runs target for United Bank Limited (UBL) who will begin their second innings on Tuesday (today).

After conceding a 32-run lead WAPDA were bowled out for 220 in their second innings. Skipper Salman Butt top-scored 66 which came off 113 balls and had nine hits to the fence. Khushdil Shah chippedin with 51 off 80 balls, striking six fours and one six. Left-arm spinner M Asghar got 5-50, for 6-118 match tally. International allrounder M Nawaz got 3-49.

Earlier in response to WAPDA’s first innings total of 248, UBL resumed their innings at 210-7 and were bowled out for 275. Test left-hander Mohammad Nawaz, who was batting on 77, fell for 88. His fine 179-ball knock was embellished with 11 fours.

Ehsan Adil (38) also scored useful runs. Left-arm spinner Khalid Usman got 4-55. Left-arm pacer Waqas Maqsood clinched 3-67.In Group I fixture at Niaz Stadium Hyderabad, former champions Sui Northern Gas Pipelines Limited (SNGPL) were in trouble against Lahore Whites who can pull off a major upset if they batted with care on Tuesday.

After securing a 67-run lead SNGPL were bowled out for only 93 in their second innings to set a taregt of 161 for Lahore Whites who were 35-2 at stumps in their second innings.Young allrounder Hussain Talat (39*) showed some spark, striking six fours in his unbeaten 70-ball knock.

Test cricketers Iftikhar Ahmed (14) and former Pakistan captain Azhar Ali (13) were the only others who entered double figures. Pacemen Waqas Ahmed (5-40) and Umaid Asif (3-38) were the main destroyers. Waqas finished with excellent match figures of 9- 159. Tall Umaid ended with 9-152.