NBP move closer to big win over Karachi Whites

KARACHI: Fawad Alam struck a splendid double century and then bowlers bowled well to enable National Bank of Pakistan (NBP) to tighten noose around Karachi Whites on the third day of their four-day third round Group B outing of Quaid-e-Azam Trophy here at National Stadium on Wednesday.
Fawad, who was batting on 127, went on to hit 224 not out as NBP declared their first innings at 465-4 after resuming at 251-2 in response to Karachi Whites’ 227.
Fawad, who struck 32 fours from 289 balls, added 256 for the third wicket with Umar Waheed (125), who was removed by spinner Sohaib Khan after adding only ten runs to his overnight total. Umar banged 18 fours from 204 deliveries.
After Sohaib also removed skipper Kamran Akmal (0), Fawad shared 190 for the fifth wicket unbroken partnership with Akbar-ur-Rehman, who smashed unbeaten 103 off 99 balls with 14 fours. Sohaib picked 2-116.
After conceding 238 runs lead, Karachi Whites were reeling at 96-4 in their second innings at stumps.
Mohammad Waqas hit 38. Saad Ali (21*) and Saud Shakeel (7*) were at the crease.
Zia-ul-Haq, Faheem Ashraf, Mohammad Asghar and Mohammad Nawaz got one wicket each.
United Bank Limited (UBL) pulled off their second win when they inflicted an innings and 206 runs defeat on Lahore Blues at Gaddafi Stadium, Lahore.
In response to UBL’s first innings total of 432-5 declared, Lahore Blues resumed at 36-7 and were bowled out for 96 to face follow-on.
Agha Salman struck solid 56 off 77 balls with nine fours.
Test pacer Ehsan Adil claimed 4-38. Mir Hamza and Rumman Raees picked two wickets each.
After the follow-on, Lahore Blues were bowled out for 130 in their second innings. Mohammad Akhlaq (46) and Farhan Khan (46) offered some resistance.
Left-arm pacer Mir Hamza (4-39) and left-arm spinner Yasim Murtaza (4-7) bowled ruthlessly. Mir picked 6-69 in the outing.
The win took UBL to 20 points.
At Jinnah Stadium, Sialkot, Khan Research Laboratories (KRL) coasted to their second triumph when they overwhelmed FATA by ten wickets to inflate their tally to 15 points in Group B.
KRL chased the 161 run target in 37 overs without losing a wicket.
Openers Zain Abbas (79*) and Imam-ul-Haq (75*) batted splendidly. Zain clobbered 14 fours in his 112-ball undefeated knock. Imam, nephew of former Pakistan captain Inzamam-ul-Haq, hammered nine fours from 112 deliveries.
After securing 61 runs lead, FATA were dismissed for only 99, which set an easy target for their rivals. Samar Gul top-scored with 25.
Pacer Mohammad Abbas picked 5-54 and had match figures of 9-116.
FATA posted 168 in their first innings. In response, KRL perished for 107.
At LCCA Ground, Lahore, WAPDA were 199-5 in response to Lahore Whites’ first innings total of 344.
Mohammad Saad was batting on 91 in which he had hit 13 fours and a six. After losing three for 43, Saad added 120 for the fourth wicket with left-hander Adnan Raees, who fell after scoring 44.
Fahad Masood got 2-45.
Lahore Whites began their first innings at 324-6 and perished for 344. Left-arm Test pacer Junaid Khan claimed 4-94.
Rawalpindi gained two runs lead when they dismissed Habib Bank Limited (HBL) for 181 after they had resumed their first innings at 36-3 at the Pindi Stadium, Rawalpindi.
Skipper Imran Farhat scored 58 with five fours. Jamal Anwar belted 32.
Sohail Tanvir (4-54) and Yasir Arafat (4-56) were excellent with the leather.
At Arbab Niaz Stadium, Peshawar, Asif Zakir (47*) and Wajid Ali (29*) shared 82 for the fifth wicket unbroken association to lift Sui Southern Gas Company (SSGC) from 35-4 to 117-4 in reply to Peshawar’s first innings total of 246. Nasir Ahmed got 3-40.
Peshawar, who began the day at 217-6, were dismissed after adding 29 runs to their overnight total.
Test pacer Mohammad Amir and Tabish Khan got three wickets each.
At Diamond Club Ground, Islamabad, Islamabad were bowled out for 326 after resuming their first innings at 270-6 against Port Qasim Authority (PQA).
Left-arm pacer Zohaib Shera picked 5-126. PQA, in response, were 47-2. Only 31.4 overs were bowled due to bad weather.
At Niaz Stadium, Hyderabad, Sui Northern Gas Pipelines Limited (SNGPL) gained 60 runs lead when after posting 331 they dismissed Hyderabad for 271. Asad Ali got 4-34.
SNGPL were 303-8 in their second innings at stumps, for a lead of 363. Adnan Akmal (55), Imran Butt (49) and Umar Akmal (44) were the distinguished scorers. Kashif Bhatti and Sajjad Hussain picked two wickets each.