Karachi Whites annihilate Lahore Whites to stay alive

KARACHI: Karachi Whites kept their Super Eight stage hopes alive when they demolished Lahore Whites by an innings and 160 runs in their Group B Quaid-e-Azam Trophy outing at the Gaddafi Stadium Lahore on Wednesday, thanks to a splendid performance from the bowlers.
On the third day of the four-day game, fast bowler Adeel Malik took 5-42 to dismiss Lahore Whites for 145 in their first innings after resuming at 100-4 in response to Karachi Whites’ total of 363.
Asfand Mehran made 20. Adeel was ably backed by Babar Rehman who took 3-41.
After being forced to follow-on, Lahore Whites perished for only 58 in their second innings in 22.4 overs. Test opener Sami Aslam (13), Mohammad Waheed (13) and Mohammad Hamza (13) could only manage double figures.
Young left-arm pacers Ghulam Mudassir (5-28) and Abdullah Muqaddam (5-10) destroyed Lahore Whites’ batting line-up as five of their batsmen were dismissed without scoring.
The ten points have helped Karachi Whites jump to the third spot on 19 points with a game in hand.
Meanwhile, FATA, who are already out of the Super Eight stage, pulled off their first win in the first-class cricket when they defeated Rawalpindi by four wickets to open their account with six points.
Resuming at 72-4, FATA achieved the 180-run target in 53.3 overs after losing six wickets. Mohammad Irfan emerged as a hero for the tribesmen who blasted an unbeaten 60 off 123 balls with eight fours. Yasir Arafat and Naseer Ahmed picked two wickets each.
Rawalpindi scored 163 and 105 respectively. FATA had made 89 in their first innings.
In a vital clash at Jinnah Stadium Sialkot, after securing a 138-run lead, National Bank of Pakistan (NBP) reached 165-5 with the lead of 303 with five wickets in hand.
After losing five wickets for 73, Fawad Alam (55*) and Fahim Ashraf (45*) added 92 for the sixth-wicket unfinished stand to consolidate the innings.
Fawad struck five fours from 88 balls, while Ashraf smacked six fours and a six from 70 balls. Mohammad Naeem and Ramiz Aziz bagged two wickets each.
Earlier, upcoming all-rounder Ammad Butt smashed a spectacular 83 not out off 118 balls with eight fours and two sixes to guide HBL to 188 all out after resuming at 110-9.
Ammad, who also bowls medium fast, shared 78 runs for the last wicket with Mohammad Naeem (15) who hit two fours during his strong resistance before being dismissed by Fawad Alam (1-21).
At National Ground in Islamabad, after conceding 25 runs lead, WAPDA were struggling at 157-8 in their second innings at stumps against Khan Research Laboratories (KRL).
Mohammad Saad hit 56 with eight fours, while Ayaz Tasawar made 38 not out which featured four fours.
Pacer Mohammad Abbas was the main destroyer who returned the decent figures of 5-50. Test pacer Rahat Ali, who had picked up six wickets in the first innings, claimed 3-43.
Earlier, KRL were bowled out for 212 in their first innings after resuming at 188-8 in response to WAPDA’s total of 187.
Usman Arshad (61) fell after adding only one run to his overnight score. Tail-ender Sadaf Hussain made 18 with one four and two sixes.
International left-arm spinner Zulfiqar Babar was the pick of the bowlers with 5-50. Waqas Masood claimed 3-59.
In Group A showdown at Diamond Club Ground in Islamabad, Lahore Blues emerged victories when they defeated Islamabad by 13 runs after a tough fight.
Chasing 179, Islamabad perished for only 165 with Faizan Riaz making 35 and Shahid Yousuf 34. Ahmed Bashir got 4-57 for the match figures of 9-123. Test discard Aizaz Cheema and Bilawal Iqbal claimed three wickets each.
After gaining a 19-run lead, Lahore Blues were skittled out for 159 after resuming at 95-7.
Bilawal Iqbal made 42 with seven fours, while the experienced Raza Ali Dar (25) fell after adding only one run to his overnight score.
Lahore Blues had piled up 188 in their first innings. In response, Islamabad were bundled out for 169.
At Arbab Niaz Stadium Peshawar, after conceding 159 runs lead, Peshawar were 159-2 in their second innings at close against Hyderabad.
Ashfaq Ahmed (74*) and Zohaib Ah,ed (47*) were at the crease.
In response to Peshawar’s first innings score of 223, Hyderabad made 393 all out after resuming at 274-5.
The hero of the day was Rizwan Ahmed who resumed at 48 and went on to slam a spectacular 104 off 233 balls, hitting 17 fours. He was extended top support by Lal Kumar who smashed 43 with five fours and two sixes. Left-arm pacer Taj Wali got 5-85.
At Marghzar Ground in Islamabad, United Bank Limited (UBL) reached 276-6 in their second innings after securing a 103-run lead against Port Qasim Authority (PQA).
Umar Siddiq, who had hit 113 in the first innings, smashed 110 off 176 balls with 14 fours. Saeed Bin Nasir (50) and Shan Masood (40) also did a good job with the bat.
Test discard Mohammad Talha and left-arm spinner Azam Hussain claimed two wickets each.
In response to UBL’s first innings score of 318, PQA resumed at 213-9 and were folded for 215. Khalid Latif remained not out on 172.
After conceding a 132-run lead, Sui Southern Gas Company (SSGC) were reeling at 233-5 in their second innings at stumps with skipper Umar Amin hitting an unbeaten 104 with ten fours and two sixes. Asif Zakir belted 51 with eight fours.
Azizullah and Azhar Ali picked up two wickets each. In response to SSGC’s 124, SNGPL resumed their first innings at 249-9 and were bowled out for 256.