Quaid Trophy: Wapda power on after Imran takes nine

Fast-bowler’s spellensures exciting finale against HBL in Quaid Trophy.

A nine-wicket haul by fast-bowler Imran Khan ensured Wapda roared back into contention after having conceded a first-innings lead against HBL in their Quaid-i-Azam Trophy clash.

According to information provided by the Pakistan Cricket Board, Wapda will resume on 10 for one, chasing 191 for victory. Earlier, they added just 30 runs to their overnight first-innings total of 203 for six to hand HBL a lead of 12. Thereafter, Imran took centre stage, tormenting the batsmen to finish with astonishing figures of nine for 77 as HBL were bowled out for 178.

Sialkot eke out win

Elsewhere, Sialkot completed a narrow one-wicket win against Abbottabad. Chasing 163, Sialkot reached the target courtesy handy knocks by Mansoor Amjad (36) and Jawad Ahmed (31) leaving a five-wicket haul by Ahmed Jamal in vain.

Islamabad win by 130 runs

Islamabad recorded a 130-run win over Faisalabad in a low-scoring encounter. Resuming on 32 for one in pursuit of 255, Faisalabad were bundled out for 124 with Shahzad Azam leading Islamabad’s charge, taking five for 52.

Meanwhile, NBP were cruising on 83 for one in pursuit of 198 after Wahab Riaz finished with 10 wickets in the match to dismiss ZTBL for 144 in their second-innings.

Test-discard Faisal Iqbal’s 113 ensured that PIA set SBP 230 to win after being bowled out for 361.

Rawapindi were facing a huge defeat against Karachi Blues, having been reduced to 87 for five, chasing 449.

Published in The Express Tribune, December 11^th, 2011.