Khalid, Khushdil rescue Wapda in QAT Super-Eight

KARACHI: Khalid Usman and Khushdil Shah rescued defending champions Wapda by sharing a useful partnership to enable 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-i-Azam Trophy here at State Bank of Pakistan Ground on Friday.

After opting to bat first when their skipper Salman Butt won the toss WAPDA at one stage were reduced to 76-6. However, Khalid (78), whose specialty is left-arm spin, and Bannu-born youngster Khushdil (54) shared 76 runs for the seventh wicket association to prevent their side from utter humiliation.

As WAPDA need to avoid an innings defeat to confirm final spot, Khalid-Khshdil effort really matters in the cause. Khalid, who has scored runs in this event whenever WAPDA have fallen in trouble, smashed seven fours and two sixes in his 88-ball valuable knock.

Khushdil struck five fours and two sixes in his run-a-ball effort. Salman Butt fell for 82-ball 23 which had three fours.Mohamamd Asif in the end made 18 off 29 balls which carried three fours.

Paceman Mohammad Irfan Junior (3-68) and left-arm spinner Kashif Bhatti (3-40) bowled really well. Adnan Ghaus, medium fast, 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. Zain Abbas, the opener, got run out for naught without facing a ball.

Meanwhile in 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 deciding to bat first.

Saif Badar top-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) coupled 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 Group I crucial game at Niaz Stadium Hyderabad, former champions Sui Northern Gas Pipelines Limited (SNGPL) gained three runs lead against Lahore Blues as ten wickets fell in the day.

After being invited to bat first Lahore Blues were skittled out for only 89 in their first innings 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 other 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 allrounder Ammad Butt (82) and Mohammad Waqas (48) prevented them from disaster by sharing 98 crucial runs for the sixth wicket stand. Ammad hit seven fours and one six from 143 balls. Waqas smacked six fours from 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.