LAHORE, Feb 10: A blazing century by opener Raheel Majeed and unbeaten half century by Usman Saeed helped Federal Areas make a solid start against Punjab on the opening day of the Pentangular Cup’s four day tie at the Gaddafi Stadium on Sunday.

Right-handed batsman Raheel struck 107, his second first-class career century, while Usman was batting at 52 as the visitors piled up 301 for the loss of four wickets in 90 overs’ play on day one after Federal Areas skipper Shoaib Akhtar won the toss.

Hitting some lofted shots in the beginning, Raheel finally settled down to make a firm starting score of 80 runs with fellow opener Afaq Raheem as there was no bite in Punjab’s three-prong fast bowling attack of Wahab Riaz, Mohammad Khalil and Aizaz Cheema.

The partnership was broken when Afaq on 40 was clean bowled by a sharp turning delivery from left-arm spinner Abdul Rehman. Afaq’s 79-minute stay at the crease saw him hitting six fours.

Raheel and Babar Naeem took the total to 136 after lunch, before the latter was brilliantly caught by Mohammad Hafeez at first slip off Wahab. He scored just 17. With an addition of another 24 runs to the total, Wahab, who made his international debut in the last One-day against Zimbabwe at Sheikhupura, sent Test reject Bazid Khan back to the pavilion for 25. Bazid was caught by Test wicket-keeper Kamran Akmal with the total 160-3.

But Raheel with Usman adhered to the crease and saw Federal Areas’ innings go past the 200-run mark. The innings further progressed to 222, before Raheel too was dismissed, caught by Nasir Jamshed off left-arm fast bowler Khalil, after adding 62 valuable runs with Usman in the fourth-wicket stand. Raheel slammed 12 fours and three sixes, while facing 130 deliveries in a long stay of 196 minutes at the crease.

But Usman with former Test batsman Naveed Qureshi (41 not out) denied the home team any more success. Their unbroken fifth-wicket partnership saw them plundering 79 runs as the visitors looked in strong position to seize a total of over 400. Usman struck seven boundaries during his 180 minutes stay at the crease with Naveed hitting as many fours.

Wahab finished the day with two for 78 in 20 overs while Khalil gave away 57 runs for one wicket with Abdul Rehman, who had a long bowling spell of 33 overs, snaring one for 79.

Punjab are playing without their captain Shoaib Malik, whose flight from Dubai was delayed. Misbah-ul-Haq, the nominated vice-captain, took over the captaincy in his absence.

Scoreboard