Sports

SNGPL fight back as bowlers dominate opening day

21 wickets fall as departmental outfit restricts Karachi Whites to 118.

Our Correspondent October 23, 2016

Azizullah Khan led SNGPL’s fightback with figures of 5-42 as the departmental outfit confined their opponents to 118 runs, securing a 10-run lead. PHOTO: FILE

KARACHI: A total of 21 wickets fell on the opening day at the UBL Sports Complex as SNGPL fought back to get in the game against Karachi Whites on the first day of the fourth round in the Quaid-e-Azam Trophy, yesterday.

SNGPL, after being put into bat first, were bundled out for 128 following a fiery five-wicket haul by fast-bowler Tabish Khan — the 31-year-old just conceded 23 runs in his five-for.

Quaid-e-Azam Trophy begins today

In reply, Azizullah Khan led the fightback with figures of 5-42 as SNGPL confined their opponents to 118 runs, securing a 10-run lead. In their second innings, they were 39-1 at stumps.

At the National Stadium of Karachi, hosts Karachi Blues compiled 206 runs in 84.2 overs against SSGC with Owais Rehmani (68) finishing as the top scorer. Ziaul Haq grabbed four wickets for SSGC, while Shoaib Malik and fast-bowler Ahmed Jamal claimed a brace apiece.

Meanwhile, Shahid Yousuf was the star of the day for Islamabad Region with a brisk century at the Diamond Ground in Islamabad. Aided with the batsman’s knock of 105 from 138 balls, Islamabad reached 264-8 in 81 overs before bad light forced play to be stopped.

In Rawalpindi, Taimoor Khan lifted the hosts against the PIA at the Pindi Stadium. He scored 90 runs as Rawalpindi made 198 and later restricted PIA to 55-4 to get an upper hand in the match.

Elsewhere, Lahore Blues took command over HBL after bowling them out for 170 runs, thanks to Shahid Nawaz, Muhammad Aftab and Bilawal Iqbal who took three wickets apiece. Lahore Blues were on 31-1 at stumps.

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

Peshawar got off to a reasonable start against WAPDA scoring 252-7 at the Arbab Niaz Stadium. Israrullah (59) and Akbar Badshah (56) were the main scorers.

Meanwhile, KRL started the fourth round cautiously as they reached 204-5 at stumps against Lahore Whites at the LCCA Ground in Lahore. Sardar Hasan (93) was KRL’s star of the day.

Published in The Express Tribune, October 23^rd, 2016.

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