Cricket: Kabir, Daniyal shine on opening day

Duo helps PQA seize initiative in grade II final.

KARACHI: Seasoned batsman Shadab Kabir and Daniyal Hasan scored fluent half-centuries to put PQA into a commanding position against KESC on the opening day of their four-day Patron’s Trophy Grade II final at the Iqbal Stadium in Faisalabad.

Kabir played a defiant knock of 68 off 115 deliveries, while Daniyal made a run-a-ball 57 as PQA reached 343 for seven before declaring their innings after playing 83 overs.

Apart from the duo, Mohammad Salman (48), Atif Ali (45) and Mohamamd Sami (43*) also made useful contributions with the bat after PQA opted to bat first.

However, it was also a good day for KESC’s spinner Rizwan Khan who returned with figures of four for 100.

In reply, PQA sought early wickets but failed to earn a breakthrough as KESC reached 15 without loss at stumps.

Published in The Express Tribune, April 30^th, 2012.