Cricket: SNGPL, Wapda qualify for Quaid Trophy final

KARACHI: Former champions Sui Northern Gas Pipelines Limited (SNGPL) and defending champions Wapda qualified for the final of the Quaid-i-Azam Trophy 2017-18 following outcome of the second day’s play of the Super Eight stage third and final round on Saturday.

In Group I outing at Niaz Stadium Hyderabad, SNGPL overwhelmed Lahore Blues by six wickets to finish the super eight stage at the summit with 21 points. This was the second win from SNGPL in the crucial round.

Meanwhile in Group II, Wapda, who needed just to avert an innings defeat against Sui Southern Gas Company (SSGC), did so and confirmed their final

berth. Till close they were 97-4 in their second innings after having gained a 72-run lead.

In Hyderabad, after conceding a three-run minor lead Lahore Blues were folded for only 70 in their second innings in only 15.1 overs to set only 68-run target for SNGPL who achieved it in the 22nd over with former Pakistan captain Azhar Ali scoring 26. Test discard Aizaz Cheema got 4-33, for 9-66 match figures.

In Lahore Blues’ second innings Waqas Saleem made 18. Test-pacer Mohammad Abbas turned out to be a real hero for SNGPL who captured 6-32, for 8-72 match tally.

Left-arm paceman Samiullah Niazi got 2-28, for 4-51 match haul. Azizulah also claimed 2-6, for 7-25 match figures. Lahore Blues posted 89 in their first innings. In response, SNGPL made 92 all out.

Meanwhile here at the State Bank of Pakistan Ground, Wapda gained 72-run lead when after posting 232 they dismissed SSGC for 160 after they resumed their first innings at 56-2. Test opener Sami Aslam, who was batting on 23, fell for 28. Kashif Bhatti (22) and Awais Zia (19) were the other prominent contributors.

Test-pacer Mohammad Asif got 5-72. Left-arm paceman Waqas Maqsood also ably backed his senior partner with 3-61.

Wapda were 97-4 in their second innings at stumps for an overall lead of 169. Skipper Salman Butt was batting on 11. Zahid Mansoor made 36 with two fours. Medium pacer Mohammad Irfan Junior got 2-46.

SNGPL’s victory also finished hopes of Habib Bank Limited (HBL) and after securing a 54-run lead in their Group I match they were tottering at 72-5 in their second innings against Lahore Whites here at the NBP Sports Complex.

Ramiz Aziz hit 24. Young allrounder Ammad Butt was batting on 16. Left-arm young spinner Mohammad Irfan got 3-31.

In response to HBL’s first innings total of 226, Lahore Whites resumed their innings at 24-1 and perished for 172. Fahad-ul-Haq struck 39 off 71 balls, smashing four fours and a couple of sixes.

Ameer Hamza belted 39 off 71 balls with five fours. Left-arm test spinner Abdul Rehman claimed 4-75. Ammad Butt captured 3-21.

In Group B meeting here at UBL Sports Complex, United Bank Limited (UBL) got 132 runs lead when they were bowled out for 283 after resuming their first innings at 110-2 in response to Khan Research Laboratories’ (KRL) 151.

Left-handed solid batsman Saad Ali hit 109 off 179 balls, his third century of the season and ninth in first-class cricket. Saad smacked 18 fours in his fantastic knock. Yasir Ali (3-49) and Nouman Ali (3-75) bowled well.

KRL were 103-4 in their second innings at stumps. They need 30 more runs to avert an innings defeat.

Opener Jaahid Ali was batting on 52 and with him at the other end was Luqman Butt on 12.

Emerging fast bowler Sameen Gul captured 2-35.