KARACHI: Karachi Blues strengthened their grip on their crucial Group ‘A’ clash against Multan on day two of the Quaid-i-Azam Trophy Grade-II Cricket Tournament on Friday, while Faisalabad stand-in skipper Imran Khalid starred with a six-wicket haul in the match versus Sialkot.

Karachi Blues extended their overnight first-innings score of 198-7 to 255-9 in the stipulated 83 overs at the Multan Cricket Stadium in Multan. Pakistan international Fawad Alam ended up making an undefeated 84 off 121 balls with seven boundaries.

Multan, in reply, lost quick wickets including that of Pakistan right-hander Sohaib Maqsood who was trapped lbw by rising left-arm speedster Zohaib Shera for eight.

But the hosts recovered to close the day on 198-9 in 58 overs. Kashif Naved (47) and Shahzad Ali (42) were the chief run-getters, while Pakistan fast bowler Sohail Khan grabbed 4-54 in 23 overs and Zohaib 3-57 in 11.

In the inconsequential fixture between Quetta and Larkana at the Dring Stadium in Bahawalpur, the former were in complete control.

After taking a 32-run lead on the first innings, Quetta moved smoothly to 214-3 to enjoy an overall lead of 246. Abdul Hannan (70 off 88 balls, 10 fours), Zubair Khan (66 off 52, nine boundaries) and Asif Mengal 959 not out) were the batsmen to shine in the second innings.

Earlier, paceman Gohar Faiz picked up 5-42 in 14.1 overs as Larkana were dismissed for 183 in response to Quetta’s 215.

Sialkot rode on Mohammad Yasin’s fine contribution of 102 (152 balls, eight fours and one six) and opener Nauman Anwat’s 59 to collect 333 in their first innings at the Iqbal Stadium in Faisalabad.

Slow left-armer Imran Khalid, one of the stars of Islamabad United, claimed six wickets for 127 in 32.3 overs.

Faisalabad were 85-2 in 28 overs of their reply with Tanvir Javed batting on 34. Paceman Mohammad Abbas took both the wickets for 29 runs.

For the second day in succession, there was no play possible in the other Group ‘B’ game between Dera Murad Jamali and Azad Jammu Kashmir at the Sports Stadium in Sargodha.

Close of play scores on Friday (day two of three):

Group ‘A’:

At Multan Cricket Stadium, Multan: KARACHI BLUES 255-9 in 83 overs (Fawad Alam 84 not out, Mohammad Waqas 43, Mohtashim Ali 34, Asad Shafiq 29, Saifullah Khan Bangash 26; Majid Ali 3-56, Zulfiqar Babar 2-90); MULTAN 197-9 in 58 overs (Kashif Naved 47, Shahzad Ali 42, Rizwan Haider 25, Zulfiqar Babar 23; Sohail Khan 4-54, Zohaib Shera 3-57) .

At Dring Stadium, Bahawalpur: QUETTA 215 in 75 overs (Shoaib Khan 81, Arun Lal 59, Shahzad Tareen 26; Imtiaz Leghari 4-41, Ali Asghar 3-50) and 214-3 in 44 overs (Abdul Hannan 70, Zubair Khan 66, Asif Mengal 59 not out); LARKANA 183 in 46.1 overs (Ghulam Yasin 44, Asif Babar 43, Mohammad Urs 23, Imtiaz Leghari 23; Gohar Faiz 5-42, Hamal Wahab 2-16).

Group ‘B’:

At Iqbal Stadium, Faisalabad: SIALKOT 333 in 82.3 overs (Mohammad Yasin 102, Salman Ali 66, Nauman Anwar 59, Naeemuddin 27; Imran Khalid 6-127); FAISALABAD 85-2 in 28 overs (Tanvir Javed 34 not out; Mohammad Abbas 2-29).

At Sport Stadium, Sargodha: DERA MURAD JAMALI vs AZAD JAMMU KASHMIR — no play on first two days due to rain.

Published in Dawn, March 19th, 2016