KARACHI, Feb 7: Solid knocks from skipper Khalid Latif, Asim Kamal and Tanvir Ahmed helped Karachi Whites post a fighting 263-8 in their first innings against KRL in the Quaid-i-Azam Trophy National Cricket Championship Group ‘A’ tie at the National Stadium here on Saturday.

After electing to bat first, Karachi Whites lost three wickets during an impressive new-ball spell from KRL’s Pakistan all-rounder Yasir Arafat. A defiant run-a-minute 119-run stand between Khalid (87 off 108 balls, 13 fours and one six) and Asim Kamal (48 off 95 balls, seven fours) carried the score to 157 before both were dismissed by medium-pacer Akhtar Ayub.

The second major partnership was provided by Tanvir (58 off 115 balls, six fours) and Misbah Khan (25 not out) who together added 70 priceless runs for the eighth wicket until Yasir nabbed Tanvir to pick up his fifth wicket.

Yasir was easily the outstanding bowler with figures of five for 51 in 18 overs. Pakistan off-spinner Saeed Ajmal was unlucky on several occasions as he ended up with 0-51 in 18 overs.

The game between Wapda and National Bank will start a day late on Sunday after the PCB made a last-minute change in venue by switching it from Iqbal Stadium in Faisalabad to Mirpur Cricket Stadium in Azad Jammu Kashmir.

Meanwhile, Islamabad virtually dominated the first day of their group ‘B’ fixture against Quetta at the Diamond Club Ground in the federal capital. After bowling out the bottom-placed visitors for 94, Islamabad amassed 301-3 in 48 overs.

Opening bowlers Rauf Akbar (6-64) and Saad Altaf (4-30) bowled unchanged to send Quetta packing in 32.4 overs after skipper Raheel Majeed elected to field first.

Raheel then bludgeoned his way to a 99-ball 87 with 17 fours and one six to set the tone for Islamabad’s aggressive response with the bat.

Zeeshan Mushtaq, playing in only his third first-class match, then took the lead from his captain to blast an unbeaten 112 off only 106 deliveries. The 19-year-old right-hander’s maiden century at this level included 15 fours and four sixes.

Rawalpindi were no also in pugnacious mood on Saturday as Zahid Mansoor and Usman Saeed caned the Hyderabad bowlers to score unbeaten centuries as the visitors reached 288-3 at the Niaz Stadium in Hyderabad.

After being asked to bat first, Rawalpindi lost the first three wickets for 41 runs before Zahid and Usman put on 247 for the unfinished fourth-wicket stand in just four hours.

Zahid, 19, hammered 117 – the right-hander’s first hundred – off 217 balls with the aid of 14 boundaries while Usman smashed 15 fours and a brace of sixes in scoring 122 off 209 deliveries.

Lahore Ravi made 298-5 against hosts Peshawar at the Arbab Niaz Stadium with good contributions from Sohail Ahmed (73), Kashif Siddique (66), (Ashraf Ali 77) and Ali Haider (53 not out).

Our Sports Reporter adds from Lahore: A fine century by Azhar Shafiq guided defending champions Sui Northern Gas Pipelines Limited (SNGPL) to 281-5 against Habib Bank at the Gaddafi Stadium.

Azhar hit 105 after SNGPL were invited to bat first HBL skipper Danish Kaneria. Umar Akmal, younger brother of Test wicket-keeper Kamran Akmal, made 63 and helped Azhar add 139 for the third wicket.

Misbah-ul-Haq then continued his excellent form in the championship to score an undefeated 51 by stumps.

Devastating bowling by PIA’s Fazle Akbar (4-46) and Najaf Shah (6-39) bundled out Lahore Shalimar for 148 in their first innings at the LCCA Ground. PIA replied with 102-1 with Yasir Hameed striking 11 boundaries in an unbeaten 70.

Lanky paceman Rajesh Ramesh claimed five for 37 as Sui Southern Gas Corporation (SSGC) bowled out Zarai Taraqiati Bank Limited (ZTBL) for 150 at the Lahore Country Club Ground in Muridke.

In fact, ZTBL made some of a recovery to reach that score because at one stage they in tatters at five wickets down for just six runs. Wajahatullah Wasti, the former Test batsman, scored 49.

SSGC closed at 87-3 in reply.

Group ‘B’ leaders Sialkot were 20 for no loss after restricting Abbottabad to 243 at the Sheikhupura Stadium.

Faisalabad reached 218-5 in their first innings against Karachi Blues at the Sports Stadium in Sargodha.

Scores on Saturday (day one of four):

Group ‘A’:

At National Stadium, Karachi: KARACHI WHITES 263-8 in 83 overs (Khalid Latif 87, Tanvir Ahmed 58; Yasir Arafat 5-51) v KRL.

At Gaddafi Stadium, Lahore: SNGPL 281-5 in 83 overs (Azhar Shafiq 105, Umar Akmal 63, Misbah-ul-Haq 51 not out) v HABIB BANK.

At LCCA Ground, Lahore: LAHORE SHALIMAR 148 in 59.3 overs (Najaf Shah 6-39, Fazle Akbar 4-46); PIA 102-1 in 21 overs (Yasir Hameed 70 not out).

At Lahore Country Club, Muridke: ZTBL 150 in 47.2 overs (Rajesh Ramesh 5-37); SSGC 87-3 in 35 overs.

Group ‘B’:

At Niaz Stadium, Hyderabad: RAWALPINDI 288-3 in 83 overs (Usman Saeed 122 not out, Zahid Mansoor 117 not out) v HYDERABAD.

At Sheikhupura Stadium: ABBOTTABAD 243 in 76.2 overs (Rashid Mansoor 68); SIALKOT 20-0 in 4 overs.

At Sports Stadium, Sargodha: FAISALABAD 218n 83 overs (Usman Arshad 81) v KARACHI BLUES.

At Diamond Club Ground, Islamabad: QUETTA 94 in 32.4 overs (Rauf Akbar 6-64, Saad Altaf 4-30)’ ISLAMABAD 301-3 in 48 overs (Zeeshan Mushtaq 112 not out, Raheel Majeed 87).

At Arbab Niaz Stadium, Peshawar: LAHORE RAVI 298-5 in 83 overs (Ashraf Ali 77, Sohail Ahmed 73, Kashif Siddique 66, Ali Haider 53 not out) v PESHAWAR.