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President’s Trophy: Khalid bags five as SNGPL take crucial lead

Defending champions close in on place in final.

Our Correspondent January 24, 2014

SNGPL’s Umar Akmal remained unbeaten on 77 off 37 balls, with six sixes and as many boundaries. PHOTO: AFP/FILE

KARACHI: Left-arm spinner Imran Khalid claimed a timely five-wicket haul as SNGPL took a crucial first-innings lead against Wapda on Friday to boost their chances of joining UBL in the final of the President’s Trophy at the Iqbal Stadium in Faisalabad.

SNGPL could not add a single run to their overnight score of 186 for nine as Azhar Attari took a five-for.

In reply, Wapda were bundled out for 137 in 45.2 overs as they failed to handle Khalid, while Samiullah Niazi bagged three scalps as SNGPL took a 49-run lead.

In their second innings, the SNGPL batsmen went all-out and amassed 222 for one in just 32 overs, ending up with a lead of 271 at the close of day three.

Umar Akmal was unbeaten on 77 off 37 balls with six sixes and as many boundaries, while Naeemuddin not out on 70 while Taufiq Umar chipped in with 65.

Another final hopeful, NBP were in the driving seat against HBL, who were 13 for no loss while chasing a 329-run target at the Diamond Club Ground in Islamabad.

NBP declared their first innings on an overnight score of 325 for seven and then bowled out HBL on 178 as Adnan Rasool grabbed a five-wicket haul.

NBP were then in a hurry, declaring their second innings on 181 for three in 22.3 overs to have a crack at UBL, as they need an outright victory to remain in the hunt for a place in final if SNGPL lose their match.

Cheema takes 11 wickets in PIA triumph

Aizaz Cheema took six wickets in the second innings and 11 in total to bowl PIA to a crushing 156-run victory against SBP at the National Stadium in Karachi.

SBP resumed the final day on 17 for no loss, but were all out for 100 in 28.4 overs while chasing the 257-run target.

Meanwhile, rising star Sharjeel Khan continued to bolster his reputation as he cracked his first-class career’s second double ton – making an unbeaten 237 with four sixes and 32 boundaries – as ZTBL ended day three against PTV on 393 for eight with a first-innings lead of 181 runs.

Published in The Express Tribune, January 25^th, 2014.

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