Quaid-e-Azam Trophy: SNGPL’s Taufeeq plays captain’s knock

Batsman makes 119 as side claims day-night Test by defeating Rawalpindi

KARACHI: A century by captain Taufeeq Umar inspired SNGPL to a four-wicket win over Rawalpindi in Pool B’s only day-night fixture of the Quaid-e-Azam Trophy at the Rawalpindi Stadium on Monday.

SNGPL, who had scored 137 in their first innings, were set a target of 354 runs after Rawalpindi had scored 173 and 317 runs respectively in their two innings.

Having lost opener Naeemuddin (26) the previous day, they resumed their chase on the final day at 184-1, with Imran Butt and Taufeeq on the crease. The duo shared a 161-run second wicket stand to bring their team closer towards victory.

Taufeeq’s 119-run innings off 254 balls was laced with 13 fours, while opener Butt smashed 11 fours en route to a 216-ball 86 runs.

But once Taufeeq and Butt were dismissed, SNGPL went from 197-1 to 287-5 with wickets of Khurram Shahzad (23) and Imran Khalid (18) quickly following them back to the pavilion.

Abubakar Khan, however, stood tall and played a vital innings of 43, leaving the unbeaten pair of Husain Talat (24) and Adil Akram (4) very little to get the team over the finish line.

“As most of the players were playing day and night Test for the first time, it was difficult to judge the ball,” said Taufeeq regarding the low first-innings totals. “But both teams’ batsmen then made adjustments and were able to score runs.”

The centurion then praised his bowlers for making good use of the favourable conditions, saying: “Our bowlers did a good job too as Samiullah Khan and Khalid took three wickets apiece.”

Published in The Express Tribune, October 12^th, 2016.

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