Cricket: Nayyar shines with five-wicket haul

Spinner helps KRL close in on win against ZTBL in President’s Trophy.

KARACHI: Left-arm spinner Nayyar Abbas bagged a five-wicket haul to help KRL close in on a massive win against ZTBL who are now staring at an innings-defeat on day three of their President’s Trophy match in Sialkot.

ZTBL failed miserably in reply to KRL’s first-innings total of 496, bowled out for 194 in 54.3 overs after resuming the day on 86 for three. Babar Azam top-scored with 74, hitting 11 boundaries while Sharjeel Khan struck a 42-ball 52. Lanky fast-bowler Mohammad Irfan took four wickets, while Rahat Ali took three.

Forced to follow on, it turned out to be a similar story as ZTBL ended the day on 185 for nine, still trailing by 117 runs, as Nayyar finished the day with impressive figures of five for 75.

PIA concede lead against SBP

In another match, defending champions PIA conceded a 17-run first-innings lead against SBP at the National Stadium, Karachi.

Left-hander Mohtashim Ali struck a crucial 96 off 137 balls, an innings that included one six and eight fours, to guide his team to 338 all out in 112.2 overs after they resumed at their overnight score of 211 for four. Pakistan international Aizaz Cheema took three wickets. In reply, PIA were 112 for three in 24 overs with a 95-run lead courtesy a stylish 59 by Agha Sabir.

NBP in trouble against HBL

Meanwhile, an inexperienced NBP lineup failed to repeat their good show of the first-innings against HBL as they ended the day at 143 for seven in 42 overs with an overall lead of 154 runs.

Earlier, NBP managed a 11-run first-innings lead after bowling out HBL for 318 in 92 overs despite Imran Farhat’s 116-ball 88.

Elsewhere, SNGPL were in a strong position against Wapda, who were reduced to 166 for nine in their second-innings for an overall lead of just 101, going into the last day. Meanwhile, UBL ended the day 228 runs ahead of PQA.

Published in The Express Tribune, October 6^th, 2012.