KARACHI: Centuries from Nasir Nawaz and skipper Umair Masood enabled Rawalpindi take a huge 197-run lead against Faisalabad at the halfway stage of the four-day final of the PCB Inter-region Under-19 (Three-day) Cricket Tournament on Tuesday.

Replying to Faisalabad’s meagre first-innings total of 133 at the Mirpur Cricket Stadium in Mirpur (Azad Kashmir), Rawalpindi reached 330-6 in the stipulated 83 overs after having begun day two at 106-2.

Opener Usman Haider added 21 to his Monday’s score of 43 before out for 64 to end a third-wicket partnership of 120 with Nasir.

Umair then joined Nasir to put on 133 with both youngsters reaching three figures.

Nasir, who resumed at 38, was dismissed for 121. His stroke-filled 168-ball innings was laced with 23 boundaries and one six.

Rawalpindi lost three more wickets before their quota exhausted but Umair stayed long enough to hit an undefeated 102 as the Pakistan Under-19 wicket-keeper/batsman struck 12 fours and one six during his 113-ball knock.

Faisalabad lost two wickets with the score on 32 before ending the day at a shaky 51-2.

Close of play scores on Tuesday (day two of four):

FAISALABAD 133 in 43.3 overs (Mohammad Mishal Khan 35, Abdul Samad 18, Mohammad Shahid Khan 16, Mohammad Saleem 15; Nasir Nawaz 3-23, Ibrar Zaman 3-45, Mohammad Waqar 2-21) and 51-2 in 32.1 overs; RAWALPINDI 330-6 in 83 overs (Nasir Nawaz 121, Umair Masood 102 not out, Usman Haider 64; Mohammad Ibtesam 2-65, Asad Raza 2-88).

Published in Dawn November 2nd, 2016