KARACHI: Veteran batsman Imran Ahmed couldn’t have found a better moment to strike his maiden first-class century as Faisalabad recovered admirably from a horrible start against Group-II leaders Karachi Whites in their Quaid-i-Azam Trophy National Cricket Championship fixture at the National Stadium here on Saturday.

After losing the toss and asked to bat first by Karachi Whites skipper Asif Zakir, Faisalabad were tottering at four wickets down for only nine runs with three of them taken by left-arm speedster Mir Hamza. But the 34-year-old Imran came to the rescue with an undefeated 113 that guided the visitors to 249-7.

Imran, who has so far adorned his 218-ball knock with 14 boundaries, was involved into two substantial partnerships. Asif Ali (41) and Imran added 96 for the fifth wicket before Fahim Ashraf (49) helped Imran share a sixth-wicket stand worth 80.

Hamza ended the day with four for 61 in 18 overs.

Islamabad were all out for 237 after having lost the first six wickets for 107 against Multan at the NBP Sports Complex here. Skipper Imad Wasim, who elected to bat first at the toss, made 53.

Paceman Mohammad Rameez claimed five for 78 in 24 overs before Multan reached stumps at 4-0.

Opener Shabih Haider carried his bat for an unbeaten 88 (207 balls, eight boundaries) as Hyderabad mustered 222 in their first innings after Lahore Shalimar captain Umar Siddique invited the hosts to have first use of the Niaz Stadium pitch in Hyderabad.

Abbottabad raised their hopes of reaching the Super Eight round from Group-I by amassing 319-4 after Lahore Ravi skipper Jahangir Mirza decided to bowl first at the Abbottabad Cricket Stadium.

Riaz Kail led the hosts’ batting onslaught by striking 117 off 197 balls with the aid of 17 boundaries. Mohammad Ali (68) helped Riaz add 146 for the third wicket.

Peshawar were on top against Bahawalpur at the Arbab Niaz Stadium in Peshawar. The visitors, who were told to bat first, lasted just 30.4 overs as they capitulated for 89 with the pace trio of Azam Khan (5-59), Taj Wali 93-18) and Afaq Ahmed (2-11) sharing the wickets.

Peshawar then went to stumps at 157-4 with Mohammad Idrees still at the crease on 83.

Close of play scores on Saturday (day one of four):

Group-I:

At Arbab Niaz Stadium, Peshawar: BAHAWALPUR 89 in 30.4 overs (Abdul Rehman 28 not out; Azam Khan 5-59, Taj Wali 3-18, Afaq Ahmed 2-11); PESHAWAR 157-4 in 36 overs (Mohammad Idrees 83 not out; Abdul Rehman 2-31).

At Abbottabad Cricket Stadium, Abbottabad: ABBOTTABAD 319-4 in 74 overs (Riaz Kail 117, Mohammad Ali 68, Mohammad Ali 53, Khalilullah 36 not out; Tanzeel Altaf 2-70, Bilawal Iqbal 2-86) v LAHORE RAVI.

Group-II:

At National Stadium, Karachi: FAISALABAD 249-7 in 78.1 overs (Imran Ahmed 113 not out, Fahim Ashraf 49, Asif Ali 41; Mir Hamza 4-61) v KARACHI WHITES.

At NBP Sports Complex, Karachi: ISLAMABAD 237 in 86.1 overs (Imad Wasim 53, Sajid Ali 45, Mohammad Kashif 33, Junaid Nadir 33, Ali Sarfraz 31; Mohammad Rameez 5-78, Aamir Yamin 2-25, Kumail Abbas 2-26); MULTAN 4-0 in 2 overs.

At Niaz Stadium, Hyderabad: HYDERABAD 222 in 80.4 overs (Shabih Haider 88 not out, Nasir Awais 30; Mohammad Bilawal 4-50, Mohammad Irfan 2-39, Waad-ur-Rehman 2-35) v LAHORE SHALIMAR.