Sialkot recover but Rawalpindi still on top

Ramiz grabs a five-wicket haul in Quaid Trophy.

Sialkot made a brisk 63 off 10.3 overs but still faced a massive defeat against Rawalpindi in the Quaid-i-Azam Trophy after being earlier bundled out for 97 on the second day, according to information provided by the Pakistan Cricket Board.

Mohammad Ramiz proved to be the destroyer-in-chief, claiming five for 31 as Sialkot conceded a hefty lead of 307. Earlier, Rawalpindi resumed their first-innings on 326 for five and added 78 to the total. Babar Naeem was the highest scorer with a 162-ball 111.

Karachi Blues gain big lead

Karachi Blues extended their lead to 120 in the second-innings against Faisalabad, reaching 13 for no loss when day two ended at the Iqbal Stadium.

Their lead was mainly due to three-wicket bursts by Mohammad Sami and Azam Hussain who helped Karachi bowl out the hosts for 231.

Abbottabad avoid follow-on

Abbottabad avoided the follow-on and reached 191 for six by end of day two after Islamabad put up 337 in the first-innings. Rehan Afridi made 36 and Wajid Ali hit an unbeaten 33.

Earlier, Zohaib Ahmed made 80 to help Islamabad cross the 300-mark after they resumed on 254 for seven.

SBP on top against HBL

SBP increased their lead to 137, reaching 77 for two in the second-innings against HBL with Rameez Raja scoring a quickfire 54.

Saad Altaf took five for 63 and Mohammad Naveed took four wickets as SBP bowled out HBL for a modest 144 to gain a 60-run first-innings lead.

NBP and PIA share honours

The honours were shared on the second day of the match between NBP and PIA after a fine bowling performance from Mohammad Talha.

NBP, with a slim 10-run lead, made 14 in three overs after Talha ripped apart the PIA batting line-up with seven for 77 to dismiss the side for 238.  In another match, Wapda trailed by 112 runs in the second-innings after ZTBL amassed 315 in response to their total of 192.

Published in The Express Tribune, November 26^th, 2011.