KARACHI:
NBP made a recovery of sorts after PQA fast-bowler Tanvir Ahmed pegged them back with a seven-wicket haul in the first-innings, reaching 80 for two in pursuit of a 211-run target at the President’s Trophy.
It was a superb day for the bowlers as a total of 18 wickets fell on the second day of the match. Ahmed started the rout, helping dismiss the NBP side for a paltry 117 after they resumed the day at 100 for four to concede a crucial 33-run first-innings lead.
On the green-top pitch, PQA were then bowled out for 177 with Daniyal Ahsan top-scoring with a gutsy 45. Fast-bowler Umaid Asif bagged a five-for, while Imran Khan continued to impress as he claimed three wickets.
NBP then made a sound start to the chase and now need another 131 runs to win.
Meanwhile, selection committee member Azhar Khan, who witnessed the proceedings, said the batsmen needed to show their character on difficult pitches.
“Our batsmen need to understand that their runs on difficult pitches would create a strong impression,” Azhar told The Express Tribune. “But it’s that whenever there is seam and swing, most of our batsmen in first-class cricket look like novices. If they want to stake a claim in the national side, they must show determination in difficult conditions.”
Elsewhere, Wapda were close to an-innings win against UBL, who were struggling at 81 for eight in their second-innings and still trail by 119 runs at the Sports Stadium Sargodha.
Earlier, half centuries from Kaleem Ahmed (70), Amir Sajjad (54) and Sohaib Maqsood (52) helped Wapda to 321 all out in 100.1 overs.
Elsewhere, medium-pacer Fahad Masood took six wickets to give league-leaders HBL a narrow first-innings lead against PIA, despite Shoaib Malik and Sarfraz Ahmed scoring fifties at the Jinnah Stadium in Sialkot.
Misbahul Haq completed his century and Samiullah Niazi claimed six wickets to put SNGPL in a strong position against ZTBL, while KRL were close to taking the lead in the first-innings against SBP before play was called off.
Published in The Express Tribune, November 4th, 2012.
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