Quaid Trophy: HBL down high-flying PIA

Masood’s six-wicket haul helps register 243-run win over table toppers.

HBL stormed to a convincing 243-run win over leaders PIA on the third day of their Quaid-i-Azam Trophy match in Lahore, bowling out their opponents for just 62 in their second-innings.

According to information provided by the Pakistan Cricket Board, HBL resumed on 245 for six and were dismissed for 361 in their second-innings. Hasan Raza starred with an unbeaten 141 and Ahmed Shahzad scoring a quick-fire 79-ball 81. Set a target of 305, PIA were stunned by fast-bowler Fahad Masood’s six-wicket burst which forced an embarrassing end to the match for them.

ZTBL record innings-win

Elsewhere, ZTBL completed an equally convincing victory over SBP, beating the bankers by an innings and 23 runs with Test discard Rao Iftikhar registering figures of six for 37.

For SBP, Mohtaham Ali was the lone performer making a battling 51 before his team were dismissed for a paltry 123 after resuming on 62 for three, having followed-on.

Abbottabad win by six wickets

In another match, Abbottabad outplayed hosts Rawalpindi by six wickets. Having been set a target of 157, the visitors completed a comfortable win reaching 158 for four after resuming on 136. Raja Nadeem starred with an unbeaten 66-ball 83, while Wajid Ali supported him with an equally belligerent 48 off 36 deliveries.

Sialkot eye win

Meanwhile, Sialkot will be looking to bowl out Faisalabad on the final day of their match. Having set the visitors a tough 427 to win, Sialkot had reduced Faisalabad to 47 for two at close.

Earlier, Faisalabad were bowled out for 173 in their first-innings. In response, Sialkot managed 147 for seven in their second knock before declaring.

Blues fighting for survival

Meanwhile, an interesting battle is on the cards in Karachi where the home team will be battling to save the match against Islamabad. Karachi Blues finished the day on 129 for four, still five runs in arrears in their second-innings and will be looking to bat out the day to salvage a draw.

Earlier, Islamabad resumed on 301 for six and were bowled out for 398, with Afaq Rahim falling for 94. Azam Hussain starred with a five-wicket haul for the Blues.

Elsewhere, NBP ended the day with an overall lead of 303 over Wapda, having reached 215 for six at close. Earlier, Wapda were bowled out for 270, having resumed on 186 for three. Wahab Riaz picked up three wickets for NBP to add to his 84 in the first-innings.

Published in The Express Tribune, December 17^th, 2011.