President’s Trophy: Rauf bags 10 as PQA romp KRL inside two days

Speedster Sami claims six scalps to complete 500 first-class wickets

KARACHI: Pacers Abdur Rauf and Mohammad Sami took 16 wickets between them as star-studded PQA thrashed KRL by an innings and 46 runs on day two of their President’s Trophy fourth-round match at the Gaddafi Stadium in Lahore.

PQA started the day on 155 for six and were all out for 195 in 52.2 overs as Khurram Manzoor top-scored with a quick-fire 80 studded with 17 boundaries, helping PQA to a 117-run first-innings lead. Yasir Arafat took four wickets while Sadaf Hussain claimed three scalps.

KRL, who were bowled out for 78 in their first innings, failed to counter the pace attack of PQA and perished on a meagre 71 in their second innings in just 21.4 overs.

Rauf, who took four wickets earlier, got six wickets in the second innings while Sami added four more wickets to his earlier tally of two. The latter completed a landmark of 500 first-class wickets in 148 matches, with 27 five-wicket hauls and four 10-fors to his credit.

“I’m hungry to make a return to the Pakistan team and the 500 first-class wicket landmark has given me another boost,” Sami, who is joint second-top bowler with 21 wickets, told The Express Tribune.

“There is unfinished business left for me in the international arena and my body is feeling right to play top-class cricket for at least another four years. I want to end my career on a high and that is the biggest motivation for me to keep pushing for a comeback.”

PQA took maximum nine points from the match.

Rumman rocks HBL with seven-wicket haul

Left-arm seamer Rumman Raees destroyed HBL with a seven-wicket haul, which helped UBL take a slender 37-run first-innings lead while defending a small total of 167 at the Marghazar Ground in Islamabad.

HBL were all out for 130 despite starting the day on 37 for no loss as Rumman gave away just 31 runs for his returns.

UBL then stretched the lead to 161 as they ended the day on 124 for three in their second innings with Abid Ali unbeaten on 72.

Elsewhere, Wapda were 50 for two while replying to NBP’s 162.

Naeem stars with 180-run knock for SNGPL

Left-hander Naeemuddin scored a big ton as SNGPL improved their grip on the match against PIA by stretching their lead to 175 runs at the National Ground.

SNGPL resumed the day on 62 for three and ended the proceedings with 344 for eight in 94.3 overs. Naeem took 266 balls for his superb 180 laced with 26 boundaries, while Aizaz Cheema bagged five wickets.

Meanwhile, Imran Nazir (91) and Sharjeel Khan (81) missed out on centuries as ZTBL took a crucial 92-run lead against SBP at the KRL Stadium in Rawalpindi.

ZTBL were all out for 309 and UBL were 11 for no loss in their second innings at close of play.