KARACHI: Ali Zaryab and Ahmed Shehzad hit centuries as Lahore Whites got off to a flying start in their Quaid-e-Azam Trophy second-round match against Rawalpindi at the Gaddafi Stadium in Lahore on Tuesday.

It was the round’s only fixture of the total four not affected by rain, with the first day of the one between Fata and Lahore Blues in Abbotabad completely washed out.

Only 17 overs were bowled at the Shoaib Akhtar Cricket Stadium during the clash between Multan and Peshawar. However, at the Pindi Cricket Stadium in the same city, Karachi Whites played more than 40 overs after being put into bat by Faisalabad.

In Lahore, though, it was a run fest as Zaryab piled 182 runs off 282 balls with the help of three sixes and 23 boundaries.

On the other end, Pakistan discard Shehzad was retired hurt after smashing 10 fours and two sixes for 102 runs off 147 balls.

The Lahore Whites openers were involved in a 234-run partnership. Coming in at number four after the home side had lost first drop Abid Ali for five, Saad Khan added 42 runs to the total off 66 balls, a knock studded with five fours.

Saad will be at the crease with Aamer Jamal (10 not out off 13, two fours) when the second day starts with Lahore Whites at 349-3.

Pacers Kashif Ali (2-59) and Munir Riaz (1-59) were the wicket-takers for Rawalpindi, with the former trapping Saad Nasim — double centurion in his last match — leg-before for nought.

In Rawalpindi, Ammad Alam and Omair Bin Yousuf were among the runs for Karachi Whites against Faisalabad.

The Sarfraz Ahmed-led Karachi outfit saw veteran opener Khurram Maznoor depart early — his namesake pacer Khurram Shehzad being the wicket-taker — with the scores reading 12-1 when Omair arrived at the crease.

The promising right-hander and Ammad then carried their team to 141-1 before play was called off.

Ammad hit three fours and six sixes for 56 off 124 balls, while Omair smashed seven boundaries in his 112-ball knock for 62.

Elsewhere, Peshawar were 43-2 against Multan at the close of the day’s play. Opener Sahibzada Farhan scored 22 before falling to Majid Ali while his opening partner Israrullah became veteran all-rounder Aamer Yamin’s victim.

Peshawar’s Kamran Ghulam was retired hurt after scoring six.

Scores in brief:

Lahore Whites 349-3 against Rawalpindi

LAHORE WHITES 349-3 in 90 overs (Ali Zaryab Asif 182, Ahmed Shahzad 102; Kashif Ali 2-59, Munir Riaz 1-59)

Karachi Whites 141-1 against Faisalabad

KARACHI WHITES 141-1 in 40.4 overs (Omair Bin Yousuf 62 not out, Ammad Alam 56 not out; Khurram Shahzad 1-29)

Peshawar 43-2 against Multan

PESHAWAR 43-2 in 17 overs (Sahibzada Farhan 22; Majid Ali 1-13, Aamer Yamin 1-21)

Fata v Lahore Blues

No play due to wet outfield.

Published in Dawn, September 17th, 2023