PIA’s response begins with a stutter

Still 218 behind ZTBL’s 337 on 2nd day of Quaid Trophy final.

KARACHI: Fahad Iqbal’s unbeaten 49 saved PIA’s blushes on the second day of their Quaid-i-Azam Trophy final against ZTBL, taking his side to 119 for four at stumps, still 218 behind.

PIA stuttered early, losing opener Agha Sabir without scoring in the second over of the innings as the team chased ZTBL’s first-innings total of 337. Captain Kamran Sajid and Sheheryar Ghani put on 30 but losing regular wickets put them on the back-foot.

Test-discard Rao Iftikhar picked up a brace to put his side in the driver’s seat after Zuqarnain Haider’s rearguard action took ZTBL past the 300-mark. He scored a patient 36 off 188 balls but ZTBL lost their last four wickets for 33 runs to finish on a healthy total.

Published in The Express Tribune, December 22^nd, 2011.