Wahab in 7th heaven after fine Quaid Trophy show

Picks up seven wickets to revive NBP’s hopes.

Snubbed left-armer Wahab Riaz picked up seven wickets for 74 runs to dismiss ZTBL for 255 in the Quaid-i-Azam Trophy.

NBP scored 201 in reply, with Junaid Zia taking three wickets for his side who then proceeded to 35 for one in the second-innings to sit in the driving seat.

Blues fight on

Karachi Blues stretched their lead to 227 in the second-innings, making 45 for one at the end of day two against Rawalpindi. Earlier, Sohail Khan’s five-for ensured the hosts got into a winning position as the Rawalpindi side was bowled out for 107 in reply to Karachi’s 299.

Abbottabad peg back Sialkot

The match headed for an early finish as Abbottabad managed 166 for nine in the second-innings but only led by 159 against Sialkot.

However, in the context of the game, which saw Abbottabad make 97 before Sialkot managed just 104, the total might just be enough.

Faisalabad begin run chase against Islamabad

Faisalabad lost one wicket in pursuit of 255, managing 32 on day two against Islamabad. Earlier, they were bowled out for 106 in the first-innings before Naseer Akram claimed four wickets to dismiss the hosts for 191 to set a moderate target.

Wapda-HBL match in balance

Aamer Sajjad made 58 as Wapda reached 203 for six against HBL who were earlier bowled out for 245. Imran Khan claimed five for 57 and Zulfiqar Babar took four wickets to ensure HBL did not end with a high total.

In another match, SBP pegged back the top team of the Quaid-i-Azam Trophy, gaining a first-innings lead of 132 before PIA made 82 for two. PIA, who were dismissed for 137 in their first-innings, then saw Ramiz Aziz make 76 in SBP’s total of 269. Shaharyar Ghani then hit 34 not out as PIA improved on their show to reduce the deficit to 50.

Published in The Express Tribune, December 10^th, 2011.