Shehzad helps HBL thump NBP

KARACHI: Test opener Ahmed Shehzad blasted spectacular unbeaten 162 to enable holders Habib Bank Limited (HBL) to take an impressive start when they overwhelmed National Bank of Pakistan (NBP) by five wickets in their opening round high-scoring outing of the National One-day Cup for Departments here at NBP Sports Complex on Thursday.

Shehzad slammed nine fours and five sixes in his superb knock to help HBL chase 318-run target with nine balls to spare after losing five wickets.

Shehzad, who completed his 14th century in List A cricket, added 177 for the fourth wicket with Ramiz Aziz, who got run out after scoring 65-ball 60 which had two fours.

Left-arm young pacer Ghulam Mudassir got 2-58 in 9.3 overs.

After being invited to bat first when Ahmed Shehzad won the toss, NBP posted a mammoth total of 317-7.

Naved Yasin (101) and Test cricketer Qaiser Abbas (91) put on 157 for the fifth wicket. The left-handed Yasin cracked seven fours and two sixes in his 100-ball knock. Qaiser smashed seven fours and four sixes in his 103-ball feat.

Mohammad Bilal (3-75) and Test left-arm spinner Abdul Rehman (3-53) bowled well.

At the State Bank of Pakistan Ground, WAPDA routed the last edition’s runners-up Sui Southern Gas Company (SSGC) by 73 runs.

WAPDA scored 272 all out after being invited to bat first with Khushdil Shah scoring a fine 103. At one stage, WAPDA were gasping at 132-6, but left-handed Khushdil came to their rescue. He added 124 for the seventh wicket with Khalid Usman, who chipped in with 50-ball 32 which had three fours.

Left-arm pacer Zia-ul-Haq (3-44) and Ahmed Jamal (3-41) bowled well. Left-arm spinner Kashif Bhatti captured 2-28.

In response, SSGC were bundled out for 199 in 47th over. Test opener Sami Aslam scored 91-ball 80 which had seven fours and one six. Wicket-keeper batsman Saifullah Bangash scored 31 off 47 balls.

International left-arm pacer Mohammad Irfan got 3-16 in 7.4 overs, while off-spinner Zahid Mansoor captured 2-28.

At Niaz Stadium, Hyderabad, Sui Northern Gas Pipelines Limited (SNGPL) whipped Khan Research Laboratories (KRL) by 112 runs.

SNGPL piled up 321-4 in the allotted 50 overs with Test cricketer Iftikhar Ahmed making unbeaten 68.

Iftikhar, who played a key role in SNGPL’s recent title win in the Quaid-e-Azam Trophy, struck eight fours and one six in his quick-fire 44-ball innings.

Young all-rounder Hussain Talat made 67-ball 63 with four fours and two sixes. Khurram Shehzad (52) and Taimur Sultan (43) also batted well. Nouman Ali got 2-35.

In response, KRL were restricted to 209-8. Opener Junaid Ali (38) and Luqman Butt (36) were the prominent scorers.

Left-arm spinner Imran Khalid picked 4-39. Test pacer Mohammad Abbas claimed 2-15 in eight overs. Test cricketer Shan Masood (145*) slammed fine unbeaten hundred, his career-best, to guide United Bank Limited (UBL) to a 64-run victory over Pakistan Television.

Shan hit 15 fours and one six in his 146-ball unfinished knock to propel UBL to 296-9. The left-handed Shan shared 150 for the opening stand with Umar Siddiq, who hit 89-ball 72 which featured nine fours and one six.

Leg-spinner Mohammad Irfan got 3-51. Ali Khan captured 2-37.

PTV, in response, were bundled out for 232 in 46 overs with Hasan Mohsin scoring 66-ball 63 with three fours and four sixes.

Left hander Saud Shakeel smashed 60-ball 53 with seven fours.

Left-arm pacer Mir Hamza (2-35), Mohammad Asghar (2-37) and Sohaib Maqsood (2-17) were the main wicket-takers.