Lahore Shalimar, Wapda struggle in fifth round ties: Abbottabad set to take lead against Karachi Blues

LAHORE, Jan 20: Slow but responsible batting by unbeaten Mohammad Saeed and captain Zulqarnain Haider helped Lahore Shalimar (LS) to end the day on a positive note as they reached 176 for seven in their first innings against defending champions Sui Northern Gas Pipe Lines (SNGPL) on the first day of the Quaid-i-Azam Trophy’s 5th round at the LCCA ground on Tuesday.

The hosts were in deep trouble on one stage but Zulqarnain in partnership with Asif Raza (16) and then with Saeed steadied the innings.

Lahore Shalimar openers Abid Ali (27) and Junaid (25) gave a good start of 76 for one to the home team but then they lost four wickets at the same total soon after lunch to totter at 76-5.

Zulqarnain then rescued them with a defiant knock, facing 167 balls to score his unbeaten 28. Saeed saw off 95 balls to remain unbeaten at 38 with three strokes to the fence.

Left-arm medium fast Rahat Ali took three wickets for 34 runs.

A fine knock of 82 by Imran Abbas helped Sui Southern Gas Company to make a stunning start against the pool ‘A’ leaders PIA at Quaid-i-Azam Park, Karachi.

By close of play SSGC were 206 for six in 85 overs as Imran hit eight boundaries in his 217-ball knock.

In another match, a splendid knock of 79 from opener Babar Naeem (79) enabled Rawalpindi to make a flying start against pool ‘B’ leaders Sialkot at Diamond Club ground, Islamabad, finishing the day with a total of 231 for five in 61 overs.

Babar’s knock was laced with 10 boundaries and he faced 120 balls during his 174 minutes stay at the crease. Left-arm medium fast Naveed Arif captured three wickets for 45.

At Sheikhupura, a four-wicket haul by right-arm fast Azhar Attari bundled out Wapda for 199 in 60.5 overs against Zarai Tarqiaiti Bank Limited (ZTBL) at the Sheikhupura Stadium.

Azhar received good support from Junaid Nadir who finished with three for 30. The bankers were 37-1 in 20 overs by the stumps. The lowly-rated Quetta showed some sign of improvement against Lahore Ravi, as it had collected 181-4 in the first innings at Lahore Country Club Muridke. Mohammad Aslam (48 not out) and Atta-ur-Rehman (47) were the key scorers.

Elsewhere, Abbottabad are in sight of earning the first innings lead against Karachi Blues in a low-scoring match at the UBL Sports Complex, Karachi.

First fine bowling by right-arm fast Rashid Mansoor (six for 76) skittled Karachi Blues for 149 in 46.3 overs with Ashfaq Afridi being the top scorer with 38. By close of play, Abbottabad were 146-5 in 36 overs as Fawad Khan (62) and Adnan Raees excelled with the willow.

Discarded opener Nasir Jamshed sent a reminder to the national selectors with a whirlwind unbeaten knock of 96 to help National Bank of Pakistan (NBP) come in commanding position against Customs at the NBP Sports Complex, Karachi.

He hit 96 off 108 balls with 15 boundaries and three sixes as NBP were 203 for two after bowling out Customs for a paltry 130 in 45.1 overs. Fawad Alam with a knock of undefeated 61 (nine fours) also helped Nasir as NBP had seized a 73 runs lead with eight wickets in tact.

Earlier, only Rameez Aziz (52) could stay with some authority against NBP’s bowling. Promising Mohammad Talha (3-44) and Irfanuddin (3-8) were wrecker-in-chiefs for the bankers.

Five wickets by off-spinner Misbah Khan for 49 runs and an unbeaten half-century by opener Ali Asad for Karachi Whites put pool ‘A’ runners-up Habib Bank Limited’s (HBL) spot in danger at the DS Stadium, Karachi.

HBL, who are equaled with NBP with 18 points each were bundled out for 176 in 51.3 overs. By close of play, Karachi Whites were 95 for no loss as Ali Asad (58) and Murtaza Majid (35) had made an opening stand of 95 in 31 overs.

Only 46 overs’ play could be held at Gymkhana Ground, Okara, between Multan and Faisalabad. The home team had collected 153 for four with opener Usman Tariq contributing undefeated 65, hitting 11 boundaries.

Summarised scores;

Day-1.

At the LCCA ground.

Lahore Shalimar 176-7, 83 overs (Mohammad Saeed 38 not out, Zulqarnain Haider 28 not out; Rahat Ali 3-24) against SNGPL.

At Quaid-i-Azam, Park, Karachi.

SSGC 206-6, 85 overs (Imran Abbas 82 not out) against PIA.

At Diamond Club ground, Islamabad.

Rawalpindi 231-5, 61 overs (Babar Naeem 79, Naveed Ashraf 64 not out; Naveed Arif 3-45) against Sialkot.

At Sheikhupura Stadium.

Wapda 199, 60.5 overs (Tariq Aziz 37; Azhar Attari 4-47, Junaid Nadir 3-30). ZTBL 37-1.

AT Lahore Country Club, Muridke.

Quetta 181-4, 66 overs (Mohammad Aslam 48 not out, Atta-ur-Rehman 47) against Lahore Ravi.