ISLAMABAD, Nov 1: Fine bowling by paceman Imran Ali helped Punjab take first innings lead of 93 runs over Federal Areas on the second day of the Pentangular Cup match at the Diamond Club Ground on Saturday.

Imran claimed four wickets for 64 to restrict Federal Areas to 213 all out in reply to Punjab’s 306. The visitors extended their overall lead to 126 by closing their second innings at 33 for one.

Earlier in the day, resuming at five for no loss, Federal Areas lost openers Raheel Majeed and Umair Khan without adding to their overnight score. Federal Areas suffered another setback shortly afterwards when Bazid Khan was forced to retire hurt after scoring 19. Umar Amin could only make 19 when he was dismissed by Mohammad Talha.

Naveed Qureshi and Usman Saeed revived hopes in the Federal Areas’ camp with a defiant stand. Naveed hit nine fours in scoring 55 while Usman’s 35 contained four boundaries.

Talha and Saeed Ajmal supported Imran well with two wickets each.

When Punjab batted they lost Mohammad Hafeez for six, caught by substitute Fayyaz Ahmed off speedster Shoaib Akhtar.

Scoreboard

PUNJAB (1st Innings) 306 (Salman Butt 155).

FEDERAL AREAS (1st Innings):

Raheel Majeed c Khurram b Imran 3

Umair Khan c Kamran b Talha 1

Umar Amin c Mansoor b Talha 19

Bazid Khan retired hurt 19

Naveed Qureshi c Kamran b Imran 55

Usman Saeed c Umar b Saeed 35

Yasir Arafat c Kamran b Imran 12

Sohail Tanvir c Umar b Imran 5

Rao Iftikhar run out 12

Jamal Anwar not out 19

Shoaib Akhtar c Kamran b Saeed 1

EXTRAS (B-5, LB-9, NB-18) 32

TOTAL (all out, 61.1 overs) 213

FALL OF WKTS: 1-5, 2-5, 3-68, 4-158, 5-156, 6-167, 7-176, 8-210, 9-213.

BOWLING: Imran Ali 21-5-64-4 (4nb); Mohammad Talha 12-1-56-2 (8nb); Wahab Riaz 11-37 (6nb); Saeed Ajmal 17.1-1-42-2.

PUNJAB (2nd Innings):

Salman Butt not out 10

Mohammad Hafeez c sub b Shoaib 6

Umar Akmal not out 4

EXTRAS (B-12, LB-1) 13

TOTAL (for one wkt, 10.2 overs) 33

BOWLING (to-date): Shoaib Akhtar 5-3-8-1; Sohail Tanvir 4-0-10-0; Yasir Arafat 1-0-2-0; Rao Iftikhar 0.2-0-0-0.

Opinion

Editorial

Confused state
Updated 05 Jan, 2025

Confused state

WHEN it comes to combatting violent terrorism, the state’s efforts seem to be suffering from a lack of focus. The...
Born into hunger
05 Jan, 2025

Born into hunger

OVER 18.2 million children — 35 every minute — were born into hunger in 2024, with Pakistan accounting for 1.4m...
Tourism triumph
05 Jan, 2025

Tourism triumph

THE inclusion of Gilgit-Baltistan in CNN’s list of top 25 destinations to visit in 2025 is a proud moment for...
Falling temperatures
Updated 04 Jan, 2025

Falling temperatures

Vitally important for stakeholders to acknowledge, understand politicians can still challenge opposing parties’ narratives without also being in a constant state of war with each other.
Agriculture census
04 Jan, 2025

Agriculture census

ACCURATE information relating to agricultural activities is vital for data-driven future planning, policymaking, as...
Biometrics for kids
04 Jan, 2025

Biometrics for kids

ALTHOUGH the move has caused a panic among weary parents mortified at the thought of carting their children to Nadra...