ISLAMABAD: Umar Amin’s 32nd first-class century put Paki­stan Shaheens in a commanding position in the first four-day match against Bangl­adesh ‘A’ at the close of the second day at the Islamabad Club on Wednesday.

At stumps, Shaheens were 367-4 in 90 overs, with a first innings lead of 245 runs. Saad Khan (31 not out off 39, six fours) and Kamran Ghulam (20 not out off 63, a four and a six each), will resume batting on the third day.

For Bangladesh ‘A’, left-arm spinner Hasan Murad bagged two wickets for 49 runs.

Earlier, after resuming their first innings at the overnight score of 2-0, the home side were dealt a blow when left-handed batter Saim Ayub returned back to the hut, scoring 11 off 28 balls, which included a four. Mohammad Huraira was the second batter to be dismissed, scoring 39 off 67 balls, hitting five boundaries.

The experienced Umar was then joined by captain Saud Shakeel and the pair knitted a 195-run partnership for the third wicket. During the partnership, left-handed Umar brought up his century. He fell 23 runs short of a double-century, and was dismissed for 177 off 211 balls, smashing 23 fours and three towering sixes.

After Umar’s departure, fellow southpaw Saud soon followed the centurion and was stumped off the bowling of Hasan for 76 with the scorecard reading 322-4. Saud’s innings included nine boundaries across 132 deliveries.

Scores in brief:

Pakistan Shaheens lead by 245 runs

BANGLADESH ‘A’: 122 in 44.3 overs (Mahmudul Hasan Joy 65; Naseem Shah 3-24, Mir Hamza 3-33, Mohammad Rameez Jnr 2-41); PAKISTAN SHAHEENS 367-4 in 90 overs (Umar Amin 177, Saud Shakeel 76, Mohammad Huraira 39, Saad Khan 31 not out, Kamran Ghulam 20 not out; Hasan Murad 2-49, Tanzim Hasan Sakib 1-67, Nayeem Hasan 1-81)

Published in Dawn, August 15th, 2024