WAPDA rescued by Khalid, Khushdil; KRL folded for 151

KARACHI: Khalid Usman and Khushdil Shah rescued defending champions WAPDA enabling them to post 232 all out in their first innings against Sui Southern Gas Company (SSGC) on the first day of their crucial Group II last round outing of the Super Eight stage of Quaid-e-Azam Trophy here at State Bank of Pakistan Ground on Friday.

Having opted to bat first when their skipper Salman Butt won the toss, WAPDA were at one stage reduced to 76-6, but Khalid (78), whose specialty is left-arm spin, and Bannu-born youngster Khushdil (54) shared 76 runs for the seventh wicket to prevent their side from getting out on a low total.

Khalid-Khushdil effort was significant as WAPDA need to avoid an innings defeat to confirm their final spot.Khalid, who has scored runs in this event whenever WAPDA have fallen in trouble, smashed seven fours and two sixes in his 88-ball knock.

Khushdil struck five fours and two sixes in his run-a-ball effort. Butt fell after making 23 off 82 balls, hitting three fours.Mohammad Asif made 18 off 29 balls with three fours.

Paceman Mohammad Irfan Junior (3-68) and left-arm spinner Kashif Bhatti (3-40) bowled well.Medium pacer Adnan Ghaus captured 2-65. In response, SSGC were 56-2 at stumps. Test opener Sami Aslam was batting on 23 and with him at the other end was left-hander Awais Zia on 11.

Mohammad Asif (1-22) trapped Umar Amin (21) lbw after the left-handed international had hit four fours in his 35-ball knock.Opener Zain Abbas got run out for nought without facing a ball.In the other Group II outing, here at UBL Sports Complex, Khan Research Laboratories (KRL) were folded by United Bank Limited (UBL) for only 151 in their first innings after they had decided to bat first.

Saif Badar scored 53 off 94 balls, striking four fours and two sixes. Luqman Butt belted 25 off 34 balls, hammering two fours and one six.Young pacers Mir Hamza (3-30) and Sameen Gul (3-34), along with left-arm spinner Mohammad Asghar, (3-28) did the damage.

UBL, in response, were 110-2 in 32.3 overs at close.Left-handed compact batsman Saad Ali (33*) and Akbar-ur-Rehman (23*) were at the crease.Paceman Yasir Ali got 2-10 in five overs.

In a Group I game at Niaz Stadium, Hyderabad, former champions Sui Northern Gas Pipelines Limited (SNGPL) gained three runs lead against Lahore Blues as 20 wickets fell in a day. After being invited to bat first, Lahore Blues were skittled out for only 89 with experienced first-class cricketer Raza Ali Dar scoring unbeaten 37. Raza struck four fours from 51 balls.

Fast bowler Azizullah was the pick of the bowlers with 5-19 in 9.2 overs.In response, SNGPL were bowled out for 92 with stand-in skipper Mohammad Rizwan scoring 23 off 41 balls. The international stumper hit three fours. Former Pakistan skipper Azhar Ali fell for 15. Test discard Aizaz Cheema got 5-33 in 15.1 overs. Ali Mustafa (3-18) and Bilawal Iqbal (2-29) ably backed their senior partner.

Lahore Blues were two for no loss in their second innings when the bails were drawn.In another Group I show, here at NBP Sports Complex, truncated Habib Bank Limited (HBL) were folded for 226 in their first innings against Lahore Whites in a highly important game.

Skipper Abdul Rehman’s decision to bat first proved wrong as at one stage HBL were reeling at 67-5. However, emerging all-rounder Ammad Butt (82) and Mohammad Waqas (48) prevented them from a disaster by sharing 98 crucial runs for the sixth wicket. Ammad hit seven fours and one six from 143 balls. Waqas smacked six fours in his 150-ball knock. Opener Salman Afridi hit 40 off 90 balls, striking six fours. Lahore Whites, in reply, were 24-1 with Ameer Hamza batting on 13.