HBL eyeing place in the final

Second-placed team take lead over SNGPL.

KARACHI: HBL took a seven-run first-innings lead against over an under-strength SNGPL side in their President’s Trophy eighth round match at the Diamond Ground in Islamabad.

Half-centuries from Imran Farhat (70), Ahmed Shehzad (65*) and Shan Masood (56) helped HBL to 239 for four in 59.1 overs as day two ended early due to bad light.

In another match, UBL were in dire straits against NBP, reeling on 68 for three in their second innings at close, still trailing by 148 runs at the Pindi Stadium. NBP had declared their innings on 317 for nine after resuming on 176 for one. Nasir Jamshed top-scored with a 186-ball 123, while Bilal Munir chipped in with 59 as Kashif Bhatti took four wickets.

Meanwhile, Junaid Khan’s four-wicket haul gave Wapda a first-inning lead against SBP at the Iqbal Stadium in Faisalabad. Resuming proceedings on 27 for one, SBP were bundled out for 156. Adnan Raees scored 39 as Azha Attari dismissed three batsmen. Wapda had made 31 for two at the closure, having an overall lead of 78 runs.

In a clash of lowly-ranked teams, ZTBL were on top against PQA, who were behind by 113 runs as they were 194 for three in their second-innings, at the Marghazar Ground in Islamabad.

Shoaib Minhas’s unbeaten 86-run innings gave KRL hope of taking a first-inning lead as they had made 216 for five while replying to PIA’s 268 at the KRL stadium in Rawalpindi.

Published in The Express Tribune, November 22^nd, 2012.