LAHORE, Feb 8: Leaders Karachi Urban face an uphill struggle after a fine century by Ayub Dogar helped defending champions Sialkot take a decisive lead of 166 runs on first innings in the Quaid-i-Azam Trophy Gold League tie at the Jinnah Stadium in Sialkot on Thursday.

The visitors were in considerable trouble at 76 for three in the second innings and still require 90 to make Sialkot bat again in this crucial fixture which well decide who will play in the final.

Resuming at 53 for no loss, Sialkot lost their way when six wickets fell for the addition of 77 runs. But Ayub and wicket-keeper/batsman Hafiz Khalid then took the game away from Karachi Urban by putting on 132 for the seventh-wicket.

Ayub hit 121 off 158 balls with 22 boundaries while Khalid blasted 10 fours and three sixes in making a rapid 77 off only 80 balls.

Karachi Urban paceman Rajesh Ramesh claimed six for 145 while Asif Zakir took the remaining four wickets for 40 runs with his occasional off-spin.

Scoreboard

KARACHI URBAN (1st Innings) 164 (Kashif Dawood 5-54).

SIALKOT (1st Innings, overnight 53-0):

Hafiz Majid c Hasan b Ramesh 16

Atiq-ur-Rehman c Tahir b Ramesh 27

Shahid Yousuf c and b Ramesh 18

Qaiser Abbas c Hasan b Ramesh 0

Ayub Dogar c Mohtashim b Asif 121

Ijaz Ahmed Sr c Tahir b Ramesh 9

Tahir Mughal c Saeed b Ramesh 11

Hafiz Khalid c Ramesh b Asif 77

Kashif Dawood c Khurram b Asif 4

Kashif Raza not out 16

Sarfraz Ahmed c Aftab b Asif 12

EXTRAS (B-8, LB-5, W-6) 19

TOTAL (all out, 72.5 overs) 330

FALL OF WKTS: 1-53, 2-71, 3-71, 4-96, 5-110, 6-130, 7-262, 8-268, 9-301.

BOWLING: Mohammad Hasnain 14-6-44-0 (5w); Malik Aftab 15-1-51-0 (1w); Rajesh Ramesh 22-2-145-6; Khurram Manzoor 2-1-3-0; Tahir Khan 11-1-34-0; Asif Zakir 8.5-2-40-4.

KARACHI URBAN (2nd Innings):

Agha Sabir c Atiq b Tahir 9

Khurram Manzoor c Atiq b Tahir 35

Mohtashim Ali lbw b Sarfraz 12

Asif Zakir not out 11

Mohammad Hasnain not out 4

EXTRAS (B-2, LB-2, W-1)5

TOTAL (for three wkts, 20 overs) 76

FALL OF WKTS: 1-26, 2-59, 3-69.

BOWLING (to-date): Kashif Raza 5-0-36-0; Tahir Mughal 9-1-24-2 (1w); Sarfraz Ahmed 5-1-12-1.