Umar Akmal slams double ton as ninth round commences: Quaid-i-Azam Trophy

LAHORE, Dec 7: A defiant century by captain Hasan Raza provided pool ‘A’ leaders Habib Bank Limited (HBL) with a perfect start against Sui Southern Gas Company (SSGC) on the first day of the ninth round of the Quaid-i-Azam Trophy championship on Friday at the UBL Sports Complex, Karachi.

Hasan, without much support from the other end, remained unbeaten at 158 after a 326 minutes stay at the wicket to take HBL’s first innings total to 334-9 at close of play. Laced with 13 boundaries and one six, it was his second century of the season. Eyeing an easy victory in order to maintain their top position, HBL faltered in the beginning. Rocked by paceman Sohail Khan (4-80) and leg-spinner Mansoor Amjad (3-101), their total at one point was 87-4.

Meanwhile at the Abbottabad Stadium, group ‘B’ leaders Pakistan International Airlines (PIA) were helped by three half-centuries to earn a sedate first innings total of 233-4 in 81 overs against Abbottabad.

After an opening stand of 119 by openers Agha Sabir (89) and Khurram Manzoor (52), Kamran Sajid’s 50 helped PIA finish the first day in a strong position.

Sui Northern Gas Pipe Lines (SNGPL), who are also in the race for the top position in pool ‘B’, were helped by an unbeaten double-century by Umar Akmal (215) and a century by Test opener Mohammad Hafeez (145) to finish the first day with a formidable total of 427-2 against Karachi Blues at the Asghar Ali Shah Stadium, Karachi.

Umar slammed 22 boundaries while facing 187 balls. Hafeez’s century was laced with 13 fours.

Powered by two centuries from opener Azhar Ali (126 not out) and Saeed Anwar Junior (144), Khan Research Laboratories (KRL) piled up 345-3 against Islamabad at the Diamond Club ground, Islamabad.

In another match, in which the batsmen held sway over the bowlers, Ali Haider (121 not out) and Ashraf Ali (111 not out) notched up centuries for Lahore Ravi against Multan, at the Gaddafi stadium, where only 79 overs’ play could be possible due to bad light. The home team in the first innings at stumps was 295-4.

At the Hyderabad Stadium, National Bank of Pakistan (NBP), the runners-up in pool ‘A’, were also in a commanding position against their opponents Hyderabad by finishing the first day at 328-5 due to a fine unconquered century from Fawad Alam (104) and 89 by Nomanullah.

Fiery bowling by paceman Mohammad Imran (6-42) at the Sheikhupura Stadium, enabled Sialkot to bundle out Faisalabad for 193 in their first innings. But by close of play, Sialkot were also in trouble, losing three wickets for 63 in 18.5 overs as the match was affected, for sometime, by bad light. All the three wickets were claimed by Asad Zarar, who gave away only 12 runs.

Quetta were also in trouble against Rawalpindi after being restricted to 173 all out in the first innings, including five ducks, although Jalat Khan (59 not out) gave some respectability to their total at the KRL Stadium, Rawalpindi. At the stumps, Rawalpindi were 41-1.

Useful batting by Afsar Nawaz (85) and Wajih Uddin (73) helped Karachi Whites reach a fighting total of 279-7 against Wapda at the National Stadium, Karachi. Nawaz Sardar took four for 35.

Only 59.4 overs could be bowled at the Arbab Niaz Stadium, Peshawar as Zarai Taraqiati Bank Limited (ZTBL) were 205-4 against Peshawar. Inam-ul-Haq (87 not out) and Adnan Raza (51 retired hurt) were the significant scorers there.

Summarised scores:

Abbottabad Stadium, Abbottabad

PIA (1st innings) 233-4 (Agha Sabir 89, Khurram Manzoor 52, Kamran Sajid 50; Noor-ul-Amin 3-82). Against ABBOTTABAD.

UBL Sports Complex, Karachi

HBL (1st innings) 334-9 (Hasan Raza 158 not out; Sohail Khan 4-80, Mansoor Ahmed 3-101). Against SSGC.

Asghar Ali Shah Stadium, Karachi

SNGPL (1st innings) 427-2 (Umar Akmal 215 not out, Mohammad Hafeez 145, yasir Arafat 44). Against KARACHI BLUES.

Diamond Club, ground Islamabad

KRL (1st innings) 345-3 (Azhar Ali 126 not out, Saeed Anwar 144). Against ISLAMABAD.

Gaddafi Stadium, Lahore

LAHORE RAVI (1st innings) 295-4 (Ali Haider 121 not out, Ashraf Ali 111 not out) Against MULTAN.

Niaz Stadium, Hyderabad