Quaid-e-Azam Trophy: Waqas, Bilawal dismantle Islamabad

Lahore Blues duo claim five wickets apiece to dismiss side for 134 runs

KARACHI: Waqas Ahmed and Bilawal Iqbal claimed five wickets apiece as Lahore Blues dominated Islamabad on the opening day of the seventh and final round of the Quaid-e-Azam Trophy at the Diamond Ground in Islamabad yesterday.

Sialkot-born Waqas produced impressive pace to finish with figures of 5-47, while pacer Bilawal gave away 54 runs for his five-wicket haul as Lahore Blues bowled out their opponents for just 134. Faizan Riaz (33) was the top scorer for Islamabad.

The Lahore outfit endured a shaky start in reply but they looked set to secure a lead as the ended the first day’s play on 124-5. Agha Salman (32) was the top scorer, while fast-bowler Hasan Ali took three wickets for Islamabad.

At the Arbab Niaz Stadium, hosts Peshawar dictated terms against Karachi Blues following a five-wicket haul by Sajjad Hussain. The fiery show by the fast bowler sunk Karachi, who were bundled out for 181 in 49 overs after half-centuries from Adeel Malik (54) and Rao Waqar (53).



Peshawar replied strongly and were on 89-1 at stumps with Sahibzada Farhanullah playing on 68.

In the match at the Pindi Stadium, FATA fought well to make a comeback against hosts Rawalpindi.

The home side had dismissed FATA for only 120 with Haseeb Azam (3-29) and (Ataullah 3-30) being the top performing bowlers. However, FATA bounced back to reduce Rawalpindi to 96-7 at stumps with Irfanullah Shah grabbing four wickets.

Meanwhile in Rawalpindi, KRL made 156-4 in 64 overs before bad weather stopped the opening day’s play at the KRL Stadium. Abdul Rehman Muzammil was batting on 43.



Elsewhere, PIA were on 251-9 in 74 overs against SNGPL at the Iqbal Stadium.  Shehzar Muhammad (71) and Shoaib Khan (49) were the top scorers for the winners.

Meanwhile, the opening day of the match between WAPDA and HBL at Multan Cricket Stadium saw only 32.2 overs bowled as bad weather stopped play with WAPDA 82-2 at the end of play. Aspiring for a return to Pakistan team, Salman Butt was batting on 43, while Mohammad Saad was unbeaten on 36.

No play was possible due to rain in Sialkot where UBL and SSGC were to clash.

Published in The Express Tribune, November 13^th, 2016.

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