Samiullah bagged five wickets to help SNGPL shot out Sialkot for a paltry total of 78 on the first day of the match.—File photo by
Samiullah bagged five wickets to help SNGPL shot out Sialkot for a paltry total of 78 on the first day of the match.—File photo by APP
KARACHI Former international Samiullah Niazi bagged five wickets to help Sui Northern Gas Pipelines Limited (SNGPL) shot out Sialkot for a paltry total of 78 on the first day of the RBS Pentangular Cup match at the Niaz Stadium in Hyderabad on Wednesday.

The 27-year-old left-arm paceman, who went wicketless in his only two One-day International appearances against Zimbabwe two yeas ago, captured 5-25 in 10 overs as Sialkot's first innings lasted just 31.1 overs after SNGPL skipper Saleem Mughal elected to field at the toss.

Sialkot were reeling at 40-9 at one stage but tailender Bilawal Bhatti used the long handle to good effect to smash 33 off 50 balls (four boundaries) as he and Faisal Rasheed (7) added 38 for the final wicket. Right-arm paceman Adil Raza took three for 18.

SNGPL then comfortably pressed home their advantage by reaching 187-6 to enjoy a lead of 109 by close of play. Usman Arshad, who is still at the crease with 50 (118 balls, four fours), and Yasir Shah (48 off 88 balls, seven boundaries) put on 88 for the sixth wicket.

Former Pakistan opener Mohammad Hafeez had earlier struck eight fours in making a 71-ball 42.

Scoreboard

SIALKOT (1st Innings)

EXTRAS (B-1, NB-6) 7

TOTAL (all out, 31.1 overs) 78

FALL OF WKTS 1-7, 2-8, 3-9, 4-15, 5-15, 6-20, 7-32, 8-34, 9-40.

BOWLING Samiullah Niazi 10-2-25-5 (5nb); Adil Raza 7-2-18-3; Imran Ali 9-1-28-1 (1nb); Yasir Shah 5.1-2-6-1.

SNGPL (1st Innings)

EXTRAS (W-2, NB-4) 6

TOTAL (for six wkts, 56 overs) 187

FALL OF WKTS 1-5, 2-46, 3-65, 4-97, 5-99, 6-187.

TO BAT Kaleem Ahmed, Samiullah Niazi, Adil Raza, Imran Ali.

BOWLING (to-date) Bilawal Bhatti 21-1-81-2 (2nb); Faisal Rasheed 11-4-40-2 (2w); Nayyar Abbas 16.3-1-41-2; Adeel Malik 5-0-12-0; M. Ayub Dogar 0.3-0-4-0; Hafiz Majid Jahangir 2-1-8-0.

UMPIRES Riazuddin and Rasheed Bhatti.

MATCH REFEREE Musaddeq Rasool.

Opinion

Editorial

Islamabad march
Updated 27 Nov, 2024

Islamabad march

WITH emotions running high, chaos closes in. As these words were being written, rumours and speculation were all...
Policing the internet
27 Nov, 2024

Policing the internet

IT is chilling to witness how Pakistan — a nation that embraced the freedoms of modern democracy, and the tech ...
Correcting sports priorities
27 Nov, 2024

Correcting sports priorities

IT has been a lingering battle that has cast a shadow over sports in Pakistan: who are the national sports...
Kurram ceasefire
Updated 26 Nov, 2024

Kurram ceasefire

DESPITE efforts by the KP government to bring about a ceasefire in Kurram tribal district, the bloodletting has...
Hollow victory
26 Nov, 2024

Hollow victory

THE conclusion of COP29 in Baku has left developing nations — struggling with the mounting costs of climate...
Infrastructure schemes
26 Nov, 2024

Infrastructure schemes

THE government’s decision to finance priority PSDP schemes on a three-year rolling basis is a significant step...