Rawalpindi win to keep Quaid Trophy hopes alive

LAHORE, Feb 26 Paceman Rizwan Akbar's five-wicket haul helped Rawalpindi emerge as Group 'B' leaders as they completed a six-wicket win over Peshawar on the second day of the last-round match of the Quaid-i-Azam Trophy Cricket Championship at the Arbab Niaz Stadium in Peshawar on Thursday.

Though the win has raised Rawalpindi's points tally to 54, they still have to wait for the outcome of the match between Sialkot and Faisalabad, which will decide the group winners.

Having conceded a one-run lead on the first innings, Peshawar, after being bundled out for 145 in their second innings, set Rawalpindi an easy target of 146 for victory. Rizwan, after recording figures of 4-26 in Peshawar's first innings on Wednesday, took five wickets for 61.

Riaz Afridi, who struck 66 in the first innings, hit exactly 50 to emerge as the top scorer for Peshawar again.

Chasing the slim target, Rawalpindi, through opener Hamid Riaz (73) and Awais Zia (42), reached 148-4.

Meanwhile, at the Jinnah Stadium, Sialkot, fine batting by Bilal Azmat (100 off 158 balls) and Haris Sohail (86) helped Sialkot earn a big lead of 257 in their first innings against Faisalabad while brightening their chances of victory and a place in the final.

The home side, after resuming their first innings at 161-3, were bowled out for 379 while replying to Faisalabad's 122 to earn a massive lead. Left-arm spinner Qaiser Iqbal (4-66) bowled well for Faisalabad.

However, Sialkot were not feeling the same cushion by the time stumps were drawn as Faisalabad had reached a comfortable 174-1 off 43 overs in their second innings, reducing the deficit to just 83, thanks to opener Imran Ali who made 114 not out off 145 balls.

In the match being played at Islamabad's Diamond Club Ground, hosts Islamabad, also having chances for the final, were in trouble against Lahore Ravi.

The visitors had obtained a hefty total of 387 in the first innings after resuming at the overnight score of 284-5, courtesy centuries by Ashraf Ali (113) and Sohail Ahmed (102).

By the close of play, Islamabad had lost three wickets for 194 with opener Umair Khan retiring hurt.

Meanwhile, Group 'A' leaders National Bank piled up 326 in the first innings, but the SNGPL had given a perfect reply, closing the day with a total of 214 for four as Umar Akmal cracked a century (120 not out, 20 fours, 142 balls) at the Sports Stadium in Sargodha.

Pool 'A' runners-up Khan Research Laboratories' hopes for the final are also alive as they earned a 29-run lead in the first innings against Pakistan Customs at the Mirpur Cricket Stadium in Azad Jammu Kashmir due to Sohail Tanvir's seven for 91. Customs were dismissed for 179 in response to KRL's 208. By the end of play, the KRL had increased the overall lead to 163 after reaching 134-3 in their second innings.

At the Gymkhana Club Ground in Okara, Multan were 252-3 in reply to Abbottabad's 333.

Fahad Iqbal's maiden first-class double century (200, 20 fours, three sixes, 327 balls) was the significant feature of PIA's formidable first innings total of 459 for nine against the ZTBL at the Iqbal Stadium in Faisalabad.

Fine bowling by paceman Lal Kumar helped Hyderabad hope for the first innings lead against Karachi Blues in Nawabshah. Replying to Hyderabad's total of 278, Karachi Blues were 205-9 in 69 overs by the close of play.

At the LCCA Ground, Lahore Shalimar were well placed after posting 456 against Sui Southern Gas Company (SSGC) with Abid Ali (114), Sheraz Butt (96) and Zulqarnain Haider (72) the main scorers. In reply, the SSGC were 68 for one.

Solid batting by Aamir Sajjad (61) helped Wapda gain a 37-run lead against Habib Bank by finishing the day at 239 for seven at the Sheikhupura Stadium.

Scores on Thursday (day two of four)

At the Arbab Niaz Stadium, Peshawar Rawalpindi beat Peshawar by six wickets.

PESHAWAR 156 and 145 (Rizwan Akbar 5-61); RAWALPINDI 157 (Waqar Ahmed 5-80) and 148-4 (Hamid Riaz 73).

At Diamond Club Ground, Islamabad

LAHORE RAVI 387 (Kashif Siddique 102, Ashraf Ali 113; Saad Altaf 5-93); ISLAMABAD 194-3 (Ali Sarfraz 62 not out).

At Jinnah Stadium, Sialkot

FAISALABAD 122 and 174-1 (Imran Ali 114 not out); SIALKOT 379 (Bilal Azmat 100, Harris Sohail 86; Qaiser Iqbal 4-66).

At Sports Stadium, Sargodha

NATIONAL BANK 326 (Umar Amin 84, Naumanullah 55, Nasir Jamshed 51; Samiullah Niazi 4-60); SNGPL 214-4 (Umar Akmal 120 not out).

At Gymkhana Club Ground, Okara

ABBOTTABAD 333 (Fawad Khan 111, Ghulam Mohammad 64; Ansar Javed 5-50); MULTAN 252-3 (Kashif Naved 83, Mohammad Yasir 71).

Mirpur Cricket Stadium, Azad Jammu Kashmir