Quaid-e-Azam Trophy Gold: With 303-run first innings lead, SNGPL in full control

Muhammad Rizwan scores double century on day three


Nabil Tahir December 24, 2014

KARACHI: A Muhammad Rizwan double century and a century by Khurram Shahzad helped SNGPL register a massive 303-run first-innings lead on the third day of the five-day final of the Quaid-e-Azam Trophy Gold league against NBP at the National Stadium of Karachi.

SNGPL had resumed their innings on 278-4, 32 runs ahead of NBP; Rizwan on 126 and Shahzed on 41, with the pair having added 113 runs for the fifth-wicket partnership.

However, the two were not done, recording a 251-run partnership before 32-year-old Shahzad was caught behind off Fawad Alam’s first ball on 120 to make it 416-5.

Rizwan continued in the same vein with Adnan Akmal and added 94 runs with the wicketkeeper before finally being dismissed by Raza Hasan on 224. Adnan soon followed, caught behind by his elder brother Kamran off Ziaul Haq’s bowling.

NBP ended SNGPL’s innings on 543 at stumps, as Alam took three wickets while Zia, Ahmad Jamal and Hassan took two each. With two days remaining, NBP will be hoping for a fourth-innings batting collapse if they are to have any hopes of winning the title but they first need to ensure they get enough runs on board to avoid the embarrassment of an innings defeat.

Rizwan takes the plaudits

“Great hand-eye coordination makes a great player,” said SNGPL coach Basit Ali after Rizwan’s double century. Young Rizwan received a standing ovation from his team and coach, but Basit added that he must not get carried away. “He has done very well; he has the potential to score more as he does not lose his concentration.”

However, despite the 251-run partnership that has given SNGPL such a commanding position in the tie, Basit was unhappy with the way it ended. “Shahzad’s dismissal was disappointing as getting dismissed on the very first ball of a bowler is not good,” he said. “However Rizwan did not take any pressure from Shahzad’s dismissal and maintained his focus.”

The man-of-the-moment himself though praised the partnership. “The partnership with Shahzad gave me the confidence to play on,” Rizwan told The Express Tribune.

Rizwan added that he did not much of a chance to score in previous matches as he was sent further down the order. “In this match, I was out on the crease early, which gave me a chance to build a strong partnership with top order batsmen.”

Meanwhile, SNGPL skipper Taufeeq Umar feels the match is now theirs to lose. “Today’s play was very important, I told the boys that we have to put up a lead of more than 300 runs which will turn the final in our direction and I am glad that they have performed well,” said Umar. “Now NBP will have to take off the lead by lunch on the final day and then set us a target. But our bowlers are confident as we have a good lead and will give the bankers a tough time on the fourth day.”

 

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