Quaid Trophy: Asad’s double helps Quetta take big lead

Bottom-placed Sialkot inch closer to first win.

KARACHI: Snubbed by home team Karachi for the Quaid-e-Azam Trophy, Ali Asad struck an unbeaten double century for Quetta against Peshawar on day two of their fourth round match at the Arbab Niaz Stadium yesterday.

Quetta resumed the day on 258 for three and went on to declare their innings at 483 for eight as Ali made 210 that included 24 boundaries, while Taimur Ali made 120. Peshawar were 70 for four in 26 overs at the close of play with Jalat Khan, who made 49, taking two wickets.

In another match, a quick 62-run knock by Majid Jahangir enabled Sialkot to inch closer to victory against Islamabad as they ended day three on 114 for one while chasing a target of 227 at the Gaddafi Stadium in Lahore.  Earlier, Islamabad were bowled out for 217 in their second-innings as Faizan Riaz top-scored with 51 while Imad Wasim struck his second half-century of the match. Ali Khan took three wickets.

Meanwhile, Rahat Ali’s five-wicket haul destroyed Lahore Ravi – who were all out for 248 while replying to 309 – and put Multan in a strong position at the LCCA Ground. Multan then stretched their lead to 241 as they closed play at 180 for four.

In Group-II, Fawad Alam and Mohtashim Ali hit centuries to help Karachi Whites take a 162-run lead against Hyderabad by making 467 for seven the Niaz Stadium. Alam was unbeaten on 142 off 196 balls while Mohammad Sami was undefeated on 65. Ali scored 121, hitting a six and 11 fours.

In another group match, half-centuries from Umar Waheed (69) and Adnan Mufti (63) gave Rawalpindi – who were 164 for five needing 61 runs more –hope for a win despite conceding first-innings lead to Faisalabad at the Mirpur Stadium.

Meanwhile, tons from Imran Butt (123) and Fahadul Haq (114) propelled Lahore Shalimar to a massive 346-run lead against Abbottabad as they made 251 for one in their second-innings at the Gohati Cricket Stadium in Swabi. Abbottabad were all out for 104 as Aizaz Cheema and Ziaul Haq claimed four wickets apiece.

Published in The Express Tribune, January 16^th, 2013.

ime champion Serena Williams shrugged off an ankle injury to sweep into the second round with victory over Romanian Edina Gallovits-Hall. In the first set, she landed heavily on her right ankle and went to ground, and needed extensive treatment. She returned to court with her ankle heavily restrapped and routed her opponent 6-0, 6-0, but was clearly in pain with her movement hindered.

Published in The Express Tribune, January 16^th, 2013.