Quaid-e-Azam Trophy: Day two draws to a close

Most of the teams struggled to make runs against good bowling

KARACHI: PIA took full control of their Quaid-e-Azam Trophy match against the Karachi Zebras, continuing their domination into the second day’s play at the NBP Stadium, Karachi.

After scoring 224 in the first innings, the PIA bowlers had Zebras in trouble at 55-5 at the end of day one.

The Zebras were only able to add 24 before being dismissed for 79, with Aizaz Cheema claiming 6-26. Faisal Iqbal’s unbeaten 106 then guided PIA to 249-4 – a 394-run lead – at the end of play.

Hawks increase lead

After Lal Kumar’s unbeaten century had guided the Hyderabad Hawks to 248 on day one, Baber Khan’s five-for helped restrict PTV to 126 to hand the Hawks control of the match.

The Hawks then finished the day’s play at 130-2 to further cement their upper hand with a 252 run lead at Hyderabad’s Niaz Stadium.

Eagles stuttering in second innings

The Lahore Eagles were able to add 32 to their overnight score of 220-8 to take their first innings score to 252.

In reply, KRL were only able to make 172, with Asif Raza claiming five wickets. The Eagles then slumped to 42-3 at the close of play as they failed to take advantage of their first innings lead.

Hoping for a collapse

SSGC will be hoping for a collapse from home side Bahawalpur Stags if there is to be a result in their match.

SSGC made 519 in the first innings, but were unable to claim any breakthroughs as the Stags finished at 53-0 with two days to go.

Heading for draws

The match between the Sialkot Stallions and HBL seems to be headed towards a draw as only eight wickets fell on day two. The Stallions made 351 in their first innings, while HBL were 181-3 at stumps.

Meanwhile, State Bank’s slow 305 in the first innings and Faisalabad’s equally slow 94-3 in reply at the close of second day’s play means that the two teams are also running out of time to win the match.