KARACHI: Haris Sohail underlined his tremendous potential on Monday with a fourth century in the President’s Trophy Grade-I National Cricket Championship as Zarai Taraqiati Bank Limited (ZTBL) amassed 407-4 on the opening day of their final-round fixture against United Bank Limited at the Marghazar Cricket Ground in Islamabad.

The 23-year-old left-hander from Sialkot, who missed the penultimate round match against Port Qasim Authority (PQA) last week, banged an undefeated 103 off 152 balls with 13 boundaries and a brace of sixes after fellow left-hander Sharjeel Khan had set the tone with 141 after UBL captain Shabbir Ahmed invited ZTBL to bat first.

Haris, who brought up his 11th hundred in 53 first-class matches and fourth in five championship games, toured Sri Lanka with the Pakistan side last June without playing in either of the two Twenty20 Internationals.

Sharjeel, who slammed 25 fours and three sixes in his 131-ball knock that was his eighth three-figure innings in 42 first-class matches, dominated he opening stand of 113 with Afaq Raheem (43). Skipper Imran Nazir scored 55 in the unbroken partnership of 112 with Haris.

Khan Research Laboratories (KRL) were in command after dismissing National Bank of Pakistan (NBP) for a paltry first-innings total of 124 at the KRL Stadium in Rawalpindi. Ali Khan was the wrecker-in-chief when his occasional medium-pacers fetched a career-best 5-11 in eight overs, while lanky left-arm speedster Mohammad Irfan grabbed 4-43.

The home side reached 80-2 in reply when stumps were drawn for the day.

PQA put a strong batting display by reaching 293-2 against Habib Bank Limited (HBL) at the Diamond Club Ground in Islamabad after HBL’s stand-in skipper Imran Farhat chose to field first.

In-form Khurram Manzoor hit 74 off 133 balls with 11 boundaries, while left-handers Usman Tariq (64) and Umar Amin, who at the crease with a 122-ball 97 (14 fours and two sixes), ensured a frustrating day for HBL who have qualified for the final against Sui Northern Gas Pipelines Limited (SNGPL).

SNGPL needed wicket-keeper Mohammad Rizwan (77 not out off 110 balls, seven boundaries) to lift them to 213-6 after finding themselves in bother at 129-5 after State Bank of Pakistan (SBP) captain Kashif Siddique opted to bowl first at the National Cricket Ground in Islamabad.

Saad Nasim made a defiant undefeated 87 (119 balls, 10 fours and one six) as Water and Power Development Authority (Wapda) recovered from 56-5 to reach 212-9 against Pakistan International Airlines (PIA) at the Mirpur Cricket Stadium.

After winning the toss, PIA bowlers, led by Anwar Ali, made quick inroads before Sohaib Maqsood (53 off 83 balls, six fours and two sixes) was joined by Saad in a fighting stand of 59. Anwar has so far taken 4-65 in 21.4 overs.

Close of play scores on Monday (day one of four):

At Diamond Club Ground, Islamabad: PORT QASIM AUTHORITY 293-2 in 72 overs (Umar Amin 97 not out, Khurram Manzoor 74, Usman Tariq 64, Daniyal Ahsan 42 not out) v HABIB BANK LIMITED.

At Marghazar Cricket Ground, Islamabad: ZARAI TARAQIATI BANK LIMITED 407-4 in 82 overs (Sharjeel Khan 143, Haris Sohail 103 not out, Imran Nazir 55 not out, Afaq Raheem 43, Babar Azam 35) v UNITED BANK LIMITED.

At National Cricket Ground, Islamabad: SUI NORTHERN GAS PIPELINES LIMITED 213-6 in 71 overs (Mohammad Rizwan 77 not out; Rizwan Haider 3-61, Mohammad Ali 2-64) v STATE BANK OF PAKISTAN.

At KRL Stadium, Rawalpindi: NATIONAL BANK OF PAKISTAN 124 in 44.4 overs (Anwar Hafeez 45 not out; Ali Khan 5-11, Mohammad Irfan 4-43); KHAN RESEARCH LABORATORIES 80-2 in 29 overs.

At Mirpur Cricket Stadium, Mirpur: WATER AND POWER DEVELOPMENT AUTTHORITY 212-9 in 59.4 overs (Saad Nasim 87 not out, Sohaib Maqsood 53; Anwar Ali 4-65, Janisar Khan 2-18, Aizaz Cheema 2-50) v PAKISTAN INTERNATIONAL AIRLINES.