All teams that won the toss opted to field, a move that was made due to difficult batting conditions across all venues. PHOTO: FILE
The drop in temperature with heavy fog and overnight rain contributed to curtailed action as departmental teams fought in tough condition. All teams that won the toss opted to field, a move that was made due to difficult batting conditions across all venues.
On a rain-interrupted day at the National Ground in Islamabad, PIA reached 98 for one in 31 overs against PTV. Kamran Sajid was at the crease with an unbeaten 59 along with Fahad Iqbal – the younger brother of Test batsman Faisal Iqbal – who ended the day at 13 not out.
At the Jinnah stadium in Sialkot, the opening day of the tie between NBP and SBP was also interrupted due to intemperate weather. SBP won the toss and opted to field first as the day ended with talented NBP batsman Sami Aslam unbeaten on 73 off 96 balls. Supporting him at the crease was discarded wicket-keeper batsman Kamran Akmal with 28 runs who would be hoping to make an impact with the bat and stake his claim for a place in the Test team with the series against Sri Lanka set to start next month.
Meanwhile, UBL opted to field first in their match against SNGPL at the Iqbal Stadium in Faisalabad. The wicket at the historic test venue was a challenge for SNGPL who ended the day at 241 for eight. Hassan Talat top-scored with 49 and upcoming all-rounder Bilawal Bhatti contributed a useful unbeaten 45.
Faraz misses century as PQA bat first
In another tie at the Gaddafi stadium in Lahore, PQA ended the first day at 197 for five in 54 overs against Wapda as Faraz Ali top-scored with 91 off 120 balls. Although his attacking knock was studded with 13 hits to the fence, he failed to reach his ton. Mohammad Waqas ended the day with an unbeaten 50 as Azhar Attari snapped three wickets.
Elsewhere, KRL reached 220 for four in 73 overs in their match against HBL at the KRL stadium in Rawalpindi. Shoaib Ahmed Minhas remained unbeaten on 92 as he hit 16 fours. Saeed Anwar Jr scored 58 runs off 96 balls while discarded Pakistan batsman Usman Salahuddin contributed 35 off 72 balls.
Published in The Express Tribune, November 9th, 2013.
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