LAHORE, Dec 8: While a double-century by skipper and Test reject Hasan Raza put pool ‘A’ leaders Habib Bank Limited (HBL) in strong position against Sui Southern Gas Company (SSGC), pool ‘B’ toppers Pakistan International Airlines (PIA) were also flying high against Abbottabad on Saturday, the second day of the Quaid-i-Azam Trophy championship’s ninth round.

Resuming his batting at 158 when HBL was 334-9, Hasan found a fine partner in Fahad Masood, who added 85 runs to the team’s score before the captain lost his wicket to the top wicket-taker paceman Sohail Khan for 204. Hasan’s double-century, including 20 fours and one six, came in 358 balls.

HBL finished with a hefty total of 419 as Sohail finished with six for 102.

The last wicket partnership was worth 132 runs. Trailing behind at 194-8, SSGC at close of play were facing a follow-on despite Saeed Bin Nasir’s undefeated knock of 88. Taking three for 21, Fahad did the main damage to their batting.

At the Abbottabad Stadium, PIA’s Sarfraz Ahmed, who recently rejoined his side after making a short appearance in the ongoing Pakistan tour of India, hit a century (117, eight fours and two sixes) as PIA, after resuming at 233-4, finished their first innings at 436. Leg-spinner Noor-ul-Amin got four wickets for 170. At close of play, Abbottabad had lost three wickets for 151 and they still needed 135 to avoid a follow-on. The well-set batsman Ghulam Mohammad (74 not out) is now their main hope.

The match between Sialkot and Faisalabad at the Sheikhupura Stadium is heading towards a thrilling finish after the latter took a 32-run lead in the first innings and collecting 127-5 in the second were 159 runs ahead.

Four wickets each by Asad Zarar (4-32) and Saadat Ahmed (4-32) helped Faisalabad earn the lead by bowling out Sialkot for 161 in the first innings.

At the Gaddafi Stadium, Lahore Ravi were in a safe position by plundering a first innings total of 397 with the help of overnight century-makers Ali Haider and Ashraf Ali. After making just a single, Haider went out for 122 and Ashraf Ali for 132 after collecting another 21 runs. Multan’s Abdur Rauf, who had to miss out on international cricket after the PCB turned down the chief selector’s recommendation to send him to India before the third Test, finished with five wickets for 134.

Chasing the total, Multan, at close of play, were doing rather well with 184-2 thanks to fine batting by Rameez Alam (88 not out) and Usman Tariq (69).

In the match between Zarai Tarraqiati Bank Limited (ZTBL) and Peshawar, which has been hit by poor visibility, opener Inam-ul-Haq slammed a century (106) as ZTBL hit a mammoth total 398 in the first innings with paceman Rahatullah finishing with four for 88. Peshawar were 25 without any loss when the umpires had to call off the day’s play.

A fine knock by Mohammad Naved, who missed his century by two runs, enabled Rawalpindi to gain a firm lead of 155 runs against Quetta at the KRL Stadium.

Replying to Quetta’s low total of 173, Rawalpindi were 328-7 by close of play.

Meanwhile, Hyderabad’s openers Azeem Ghumman (61) and Aqeel Anjum (49) gave a tit for tat reply to National Bank of Pakistan’s (NBP) first innings total of 477 by finishing the day with 115 without loss at the Niaz Stadium, Hyderabad.

At the Diamond Club Ground, Islamabad, despite an unbeaten century by opener Raheel Majeed (101), Islamabad found themselves in trouble against Khan Research Laboratories (KRL). Replying to KRL’s heavy first innings total of 465-9 (declared), Islamabad at 164-4 were still require 151 more runs to avert a follow-on.

And another century from Azhar Shafique, the third one in the innings, enabled Sui Northern Gas Pipe Lines (SNGPL) to declare at 624-5. Umar Akmal, who resumed from 215 and struck 248, and Mohammad Hafeez with his 145 were the other two centurions. By close of play, SNGPL had further tightened the screw over Karachi Blues by reducing them to 172-6.

Summarised scores:

Abbottabad Stadium, Abbottabad

PIA (1st innings) 436 (Sarfraz Ahmed 117, Agha Sabir 89, Khurram Manzoor 52, Kamran Sajid 50; Noor-ul-Amin 4-170). ABBOTTABAD (1st innings) 151-3 (Ghulam Mohammad 74 not out, Fawad Khan 47).

UBL Sports Complex, Karachi

HBL (1st innings) 419 (Hasan Raza 204; Fahad Masood 40 not out; Sohail Khan 6-102, Mansoor Ahmed 3-110). SSGS (1st innings) 194-8 (Saeed Bin Nasir 88 not out; Fahad Masood 3-21). 3-101). Against SSGC.

Asghar Ali Shah Stadium, Karachi

SNGPL (1st innings) 624-5 (Umar Akmal 248, Mohammad Hafeez 145, Azhar Shafiq 100, Mohammad Farrukh 51 not out Yasir Arafat 44; Faraz Patel 3-96). KARACHI BLUES (1st innings) 172-6 (Sharjeel 44).

Diamond Club Ground, Islamabad

KRL (1st innings) 465 (Azhar Ali 150, Saeed Anwar 144). ISLAMABAD (1st innings) 164-4 (Raheel Majeed 101 not out).

Gaddafi Stadium, Lahore

LAHORE RAVI (1st innings) 397 (Ali Haider 122, Ashraf Ali 132, Waqas Ahmed 46; Abdur Rauf 5-134, Ansar Javed 3-68). MULTAN (1st innings) 184-2 (Usman Tariq 69, Rameez Alam 88 not out).

Niaz Stadium, Hyderabad.

NBP (1st innings) 477 (Fawad Alam 151, Nomanullah 89, Qaiser Abbas 70, Tahir Mughal 51 not out, Mansoor Amjad 45). HYDERABAD (1st innings) 115 no loss (Azeem Ghumman 61 not out, Aqeel Anjum 49 not out).

Sheikhupura Stadium

FAISALABAD (1st innings) 193. And 127 (Ejaz Ahmed 49; Nayyar 4-28). SIALKOT (1st innings) 161 (Asad Zarar 3-32, Saadat Munir 4-32).

KRL Stadium, Rawalpindi

QUETTA (1st innings) 173. RAWALPINDI (1st innings) 328-7 (Mohammad Naved 98, Babar Naeem 42; Sana Ullah 3-92).

National Stadium, Karachi

KARACHI WHITES (1st innings) 315(Afsar Nawaz 105, Wajih Uddin 73; Zeeshan Nadir 3-60, Azhar Ullah 3-52). WAPDA (1st innings) 277-6 (Tariq Aziz 74, Nawaz Sardar 75; Tabish Nawab 3-85).

Arbab Niaz Stadium, Peshawar

ZTBL (1st innings) 398 (Inam-ul-Haq 106, Adnan Raza 64, Wajahat Ullah Wasti 50). PESHAWAR (1st innings) 25 no loss.