Quaid-e-Azam Trophy Super Eight: Zakir unbeaten ton gives SSGC strong start

Batsman makes 105 against SNGPL to take side to 339-5 on opening day

KARACHI: An unbeaten century by Asif Zakir against SNGPL boosted his chances of being named in the national squad for the tour of Australia after he guided SSGC to 339-5 on the opening day of the second round of the Quaid-e-Azam Trophy Super Eight at the SBP Sports Complex yesterday.

After electing to bat first, SSGC reached 339 in 85 overs as Zakir made an unbeaten 105 off 127 balls, laced with 12 boundaries, while Adil Amin and Awais Zia contributed with 68 and 55 runs respectively.

Zakir’s fourth century of the tournament has increased his chances to be selected for the Australian tour.



“He has been performing well in recent matches and he certainly will be considered for the Australian tour. His name will be discussed with chief selector Inzamamul Haq,” a Pakistan Cricket Board official told The Express Tribune. “The top scorers and wicket-takers are being considered for the team and will be discussed before announcing the squad.”

In another match, Zulfiqar Babar took five wickets to help WAPDA restrict Karachi Whites to 172. Behram Khan (45) was the Karachi outfit’s top scorer, while Khalid Usman and Muhammad Irfan claimed two wickets apiece for WAPDA.



At the end of play, WAPDA were batting on 88-1 with Salman Butt in the middle on 64.

Meanwhile at the UBL Sports Complex in Karachi, NBP’s Muhammad Irfan claimed five wickets to restrict UBL to 176 in 62.2 overs, while Atif Jabbar finished with figures of 4-40.

UBL’s Hammad Azam (64) was the highest scorer for the team, while at the end of play, NBP were batting on 44-2.

Published in The Express Tribune, November 27^th, 2016.

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