Zeeshan leads fightback as Ghani Glass struggle

RAWALPINDI: Zeeshan Ashraf (105 not out) led the second innings’ fightback for Ghani Glass following their first innings collapse against ZTBL in the Patron’s Trophy Grade II final here at the Pindi Stadium Sunday.

Resuming at the overnight score of 9-1, Ghani Glass were bowled out for just 55 in reply to Bankers’ 293 all out. Ghani Glass then responded brilliantly in the second reaching 182-1 in the second when stumps were drawn for the second day.

Left-handed opener Zeeshan’s chanceless 194-ball unbeaten knock brought Ghani Glass back into the final as earlier Sunday morning ZTBL bowlers were all over them. He so far smashed 14 boundaries in his knock and together with Yousaf Babar (59) put on 160 runs for the unbroken second wicket.

The partnership took Ghani Glass just 56 runs shy of nullifying the ZTBL’s lead. Another good day (Monday) for Ghani Glass and ZTBL could find themselves in uncomfortable position on the decision to enforce follow on. Usually to put extra pressure on the side, teams prefer batting rather than forcing the follow on. Zeeshan was the one who seems to have snatched the first innings initiative from ZTBL with brilliant unbeaten century. His timing of the ball and defence was brilliant and so was his patience.

Earlier, ZTBL bowling attack led by Hamza Nadeem (3-17) and Bilawal Iqbal (3-27) ran through Ghani Glass’s first innings with Zeeshan Ashraf (14 not out) being the only batsman reaching double figures mark.

None of the other batsman tried to stay at the wicket that had something for pacers early in the day. Hamza who served ZTBL well in the trophy yet again bowled with tight line and length.

Scores in brief: ZTBL 293 all out in 78.1 overs (Aaqib Shah 72, Saad Naseem 71, Shakil Ansar 52, Raza Ali Dar 26; Mohammad Umar 4-120, Husnain Bukhari 3-41, Ulfat Shah 2-58). Ghani Glass 55 all out in 34.2 overs (Zeeshan Ashraf 14; Hamza Nadeem 3-17, Bilawal Iqbal 3-27, Waqas Saleem 2-4, Mohammad Ali 2-5) and 182-1 in 64 overs (Zeeshan Ashraf 105 not out, Yousaf Babar 59 not out; Hamza Nadeem 1-44).