Fawad`s gallant 296 put NBP in sight of win over Customs: PIA recover against SSGC, Pindi overtake Sialkot score

LAHORE, Jan 21 A magnificent unbeaten double-century by Fawad Alam and a century by Nasir Jamshed put National Bank of Pakistan (NBP) on verge of a certain win against Customs at the NBP Sports Complex, Karachi on the second day of the Quaid-i-Azam National Cricket Championship`s fifth round on Wednesday.

Fawad, who resumed the day at 61 hit 296 off 294 balls during a gallant stay of 443 minutes, as NBP piled up 627 in 110 overs against Customs first innings total of 130 to earn a massive lead of 497. Nasir, who began from 96 hit 105 with 15 fours and three sixes off 116 balls.

By close of play, Customs were in deep trouble as they had lost three wickets for 18.

The race between NBP and Habib Bank Limited for the runners-up spot in pool `A` tilted in the former`s way as the latter had conceded 148-run lead on first innings against Karachi Whites at the Defense Stadium, Karachi.

Before the start of the fifth round, though HBL were at the second slot they and NBP had equaled 18 points, each.

An unbeaten double-century by discarded Fawad Alam and a century by ignored ODI player Nasir Jamshed put National Bank of Pakistan (NBP) close to a certain win against Customs at the NBP Sports Complex, Karachi.

By close of play, Customs were in deep trouble as they had lost three wickets for 18.

Before the start of the fifth round, though HBL were at the second slot they and NBP had equaled 18 points, each.

Fine half centuries by Umar Akmal and Azhar Shafiq helped defending champions Sui Northern Gas Pipeline Line (SNGPL) to take a first innings lead against Lahore Shalimar (LS).

Umar hit 122-ball 70 with 10 fours while Azhar made 55 as SNGPL, who are trailing at the 10th spot of 11-team pool `A`, finished the day with a first innings total of 216-4 in 67 overs against LS`s total of 207 to have earned nine runs lead with six wickets in tact.Earlier, LS resumed the first innings at 176-7 but all were out for 207 in 96.5 overs with tailender Mohammad Saeed remained unbeaten as top scorer with 59 off 140 balls. He hit three fours. Three-prong pace attack of Samiullah Niazi, Imran Ali and Rahat Ali captured three wickets each.

The pool `A` leaders Pakistan International Airlines (PIA) kept their hopes of first innings lead alive when unbeaten brothers Faisal Iqbal and Fahad put on 122-run unbroken fourth-wicket stand against Sui Southern Gas Company (SSGC) at Quaid-i-Azam Park, Karachi.

Replying to SSGC`s first innings total of 278, PIA were in trouble at 59-3 before both Faisal and Fahad repaired the early damage to take the total to 181-3 in 59 overs.

Faisal scored 68 with four boundaries and two sixes while Fahad was unbeaten for 147-ball 55 with six fours.

Earlier, SSGC resumed the innings at 206-6 and were all out for 278 in 106.4 overs. Off-spinner Tahir Khan took three wickets for 53.

Fine bowling by pacemen Mohammad Rameez and Rizwan Akbar, who shared seven wickets between them, helped Rawalpindi to take a sizeable 142-run lead against pool `B` leaders Sialkot on first innings at Diamond Club ground, Islamabad.

Rameez took four wickets for 45 and Rizwan three for 56 as Sialkot were bundled out for 155 in 49.3 overs, after Rawalpindi were dismissed for 297 in 83.3 after resuming the first innings at 231-5.

Barring Haris Sohail (56, eight fours), no Sialkot batsman stayed at the crease for a substantial knock.

Earlier, for Rawalpindi Fawad Hussain (51, eight fours) and overnight Naveed Ashraf (74, 10 fours) made contribution, despite left-arm medium-fast Naveed Arif fine bowling figure of six for 63.

A century by opener Ali Asad (108, 13 fours, 329 balls) helped Karachi Whites to dominate the second day collecting a total of 324-5 after resuming at 95 without any loss, while replying HBL`s low total of 176 to earn the vital lead.

Fine knock of 92 by Naveed Yaseen enabled Multan to earn a first innings total of 332-9 before declaring the innings against Faisalabad at Gymkhana ground, Okara, despite medium-fast Zahoor Khan took five wickets for 100.

At the stumps, Faisalabad were 68 for two.

Good knock from Rashid Mansoor (87, 10 fours one six) and Fawad Khan (62) enabled Abbottabad to seize 145-run lead against Karachi Blues after UBL ground, Karachi.

The visitors collected 294 before all were out in 93 overs while replying to Karachi Blues total of 149. For Karachi Blues Abdul Ameer was the pick of the bowling with five for 55.

By stumps, the home team was in cold water as it had lost five wickets for 101.

Quetta has the chances to earn first innings lead against Lahore Ravi at the Lahore Country Club, Muridke.

After Quetta were all out for 256 in 100.3 overs, Lahore Ravi had lost four wickets for a total of 103 in 44 overs by close of play.

Zarai Tarqiati Bank Limited had taken 43 runs lead against Wapda due to fine batting by opener Afaq Raheem (82, 10 fours) and Junaid Nadir (60, eight fours) at the Sheikhupura Stadium.

ZTBL were all out for 242 as leg-spinner Mustafa Iqbal (4-39) and Sarfraz Ahmed (3-47) were the main wicket taker. Wapda were all out for 199.

A fine century by opener Azeem Ghumman helpled Hyderabad to pile up 244 for eight in first innings on the first day of their match against Peshawar at the Niaz Stadium, Hyderabad.

Azeem hit exact 100 runs with nine fours and four sixes off 125 balls.

Summarised scores.

Day-2.

At LCCA ground, Lahore.

Lahore Shalimar 207 (Mohammad Saeed 59; Samiullah Niazi 3-53, Imran Ali 3-55, Rahat Ali 3-24). SNGPL 216-4, 67 overs (Umar Akmal 70, Azhar Shafiq 55; Mohammad Naveed 3-72).

At Quaid-i-Azam Park, Karachi.

SSGC 278, 106.4 overs (Imran Abbas 90; Tahir Khan 3-53). PIA 181-3 (Faisal Iqbal 68 not out, Fahad Iqbal 55 not out).

At Diamond Club ground, Islamabad.

Rawalpindi 297, 83.3 overs (Babar Naeem 79, Naveed Ashraf 74, Fawad Hussain 51; Naveed Arif 6-63; Nadeem Javed 3-96) And 4 for no loss.

Sialkot 155 (Haris Sohail 56; Mohammad Rameez 4-45, Rizwan Akbar 3-56).

At NBP Sports Complex, Karachi.

Customs 130, 45.1 overs (Rameez Aziz 52; Mohammad Talha 3-44, Irfan 3-8) And 18-3.

NBP 627 , 110 overs (Fawad Alam 296, Nasir Jamshed 105; Yasir Hussain 3-153, Fawad Ahmad 3-181).

At Defense Stadium, Karachi.

HBL 176, 51.3 overs (Ahmed Shahzad 50; Misbah Khan 5-49).

Karachi Whites 324-5 (Ali Asad 108, Asim Kamal 58)

At Gymkhana, Okara.