Quaid Trophy: Shera shines with seven-wicket haul

Fast-bowler’s feat aids Blues to gain lead over Shalimar.

KARACHI: Karachi Blues’ left-arm seamer Zohaib Shera took a seven-wicket haul in his maiden first-class match of the season to demolish hosts Lahore Shalimar in their opening match of the Quaid-e-Azam Trophy Super Eight (round two) match yesterday.

Shalimar were bundled out for 137 in 34.4 overs. They were reduced to 30 for seven at one stage and 58 for nine later. However, a 10th wicket 79-run stand between Mohammad Irfan – who made an unbeaten 62 with nine boundaries – and Aizaz Cheema (27) took them to a respectable total.

Shera had starred on his first-class debut back in 2009 while representing Karachi Whites against National Bank. He became only the second Pakistani to achieve a hat-trick on his first-class debut.

In reply, Blues were at 178 for four with a lead of 41 runs at the close of play.

Meanwhile, centuries from Azeem Ghumman (107) and Rizwan Ahmed (105) helped Hyderabad amass 402 for seven in against Lahore Ravi.

Aqeel Anjum (81) and Faisal Athar (78) chipped in with important knocks as well.

Tanvir blows Whites on 69

Sohail Tanvir picked up five wickets for Rawalpindi as the team bulldozed Karachi Whites on an embarrassing 69 in just 29 overs and then made 253 for eight despite Abdul Ameer taking six wickets at the Pindi Stadium.

Elsewhere, Raheel Majeed’s 115-run innings helped Islamabad end the day at 259 for five against Sialkot.

Published in The Express Tribune, February 13^th, 2013.