Azhar puts SNGPL in driving seat, Gul shines in HBL show

KARACHI: Test opener Azhar Ali struck 142 in crunch time to put Sui Northern Gas Pipelines Limited (SNGPL) in driving seat against Port Qasim Authority (PQA) on the second day of their fifth round Group A outing of Quaid-e-Azam Trophy at Iqbal Stadium, Faisalabad, on Tuesday.
Pakistan’s one-day captain struck 15 fours from 271 deliveries in the 24th hundred of his career. SNGPL were all out for 307 in their first innings in response to PQA’s 119 after resuming at 95-5.
After gaining a 188 runs lead, SNGPL reduced PQA to 25-4 in their second innings.
Samiullah Niazi and Azizullah took two wickets each.
Azhar dominated a 115-run sixth wicket stand with Azizullah (32). He then added 51 for the eighth wicket with Bilawal Bhatti (25). Ahmed Safi made 19 not out.
Left-arm pacer Zohaib Shera picked 6-84.
In a Group B clash at National Ground in Islamabad, Test pacer Umar Gul picked 4-31 to enable Habib Bank Limited (HBL) to gain 179 runs lead when, after scoring 278 in their first innings, they dismissed Khan Research Laboratories (KRL) for only 99.
Gul was ably backed by left-arm Test spinner Abdul Rehman (3-13) and young fast bowler Ammad Butt (2-22). Luqman Butt scored 42 with eight fours.
HBL were struggling at 20-3 in their second innings at close.
Earlier, HBL managed to add only 45 runs to their overnight total after resuming their first innings at 233-5.
Aftab Khan, who was batting on 65, fell for 74 in which he hit 11 fours. Test cricketer Hasan Raza made 33 with three fours and a six.
Left-arm pacer Sadaf Hussain claimed 4-55.
At Pindi Stadium, Faisal Iqbal hit fine 54 with nine fours to enable Karachi Whites to gain 37 runs lead when they scored 209 all out after resuming at 58-1 in response to Rawalpindi’s first innings total of 172.
Haris Ali scored 36 with seven fours, while left-hander Saad Ali struck 27 with three fours.
Left-arm pacer Saad Altaf got 4-84. Naseer Ahmed grabbed 3-62.
Rawalpindi were 117-4 in their second innings when bails were drawn.
Usman Saeed was at the crease on 41 in which he had hammered six fours. Adeel Malik picked 3-43.
At Jinnah Stadium, Sialkot, National Bank of Pakistan (NBP) were in trouble — for the first time in the season — when they conceded a 114 runs lead to WAPDA. The bankers were bundled out for 201 in their first innings in reply to WAPDA’s 315.
International Qaiser Abbas, known for solid batting in difficult times, remained not out on 93 which had nine fours and a six.
Pacer Azhar Attari picked 6-57.
WAPDA were yet to open their account in their second innings as they played just two balls.
Earlier, WAPDA started the day at 310-8 and lost their remaining two wickets after adding five runs.
Left-arm rookie pacer Zia-ul-Haq claimed 4-82.
At Gaddafi Stadium, Lahore, Test opener Sami Aslam (121*) and skipper Usman Salahuddin (111*) put on 237 for the fourth wicket unbroken stand to enable Lahore Whites to reach 267-3 in their first innings in response to FATA’s 314.
Sami hit 16 fours, while Usman smashed ten fours and a six.
At Marghzar Ground, Islamabad, United Bank Limited (UBL) declared their first innings at 514-8 after resuming at 365-4 against Sui Southern Gas Company (SSGC).
Hammad Azam struck unbeaten 72 with seven fours and two sixes. Umair Khan, who was batting on 67, fell for 87 which featured 11 fours. Adnan Ghous got 3-125. Tabish Khan and left-arm international spinner Zafar Gohar claimed two wickets each.
SSGC, in response, were reeling at 87-4. Asif Zakir (24*) and Awais Zia (19*) were batting.
Left-arm pacer Mir Hamza and Test pacer Ehsan Adil got two wickets each.
Peshawar were 172-4 in their first innings in response to Lahore Blues’ 267 at LCCA Ground, Lahore.
Akbar Badshah scored 66 with six fours. Zohaib Khan was at the crease on 54 in which he had smacked two fours.
Earlier, Lahore Blues were folded for 267 after starting their first innings at 231-7. Umair Khan (4-60) and left-arm pacer Taj Wali (4-90) bowled well.
At Diamond Club Ground, Islamabad, Hyderabad gained 68 runs lead when, after scoring 279, they dismissed Islamabad for 211 with Babar Khan taking career-best 6-59.
Skipper Zohaib Ahmed scored 68 with seven fours. He added 76 for the sixth wicket with Sarmad Bhatti, who hit 40 with four fours.
Hyderabad resumed the day at 262-8 and perished after adding 17 runs to their overnight total.
Hazrat Shah belted unbeaten 26 with three fours. Shehzad Azam and Hassan Ali got three wickets each.