Quaid-e-Azam trophy: Dolphins struggling to stay afloat

Port Qasim bat strongly in their second innings to grab initiative.

Port Qasim have surged ahead on day three of their Quaid-e-Azam trophy match against Karachi Dolphins at the National Stadium, Karachi, thanks largely to a strong showing with the bat in the second innings.

Port Qasim started the day on 24-0, after a first-innings deficit of just two runs. They managed to add 297-7, before declaring on 321-7. However, the Dolphins’ openers stood firm in the last five overs of the day to take their score to 17-0.

Port Qasim will be hopeful that Muhammad Sami, who took five in the first innings, can repeat his heroics against his former side and help Port Qasim record a memorable win on day four.

Clocks a’ticking

Multan Tigers will have to declare soon on day four if they are to try and get a result from their match against SNGPL. The Tigers made 219 in the first innings before bundling over SNGPL for 157, and were 86-3 at the end of the days play. They would be looking to add some quick runs to their 148-run lead before declaring on the final day.

Lahore Lions struggle

Former T20 champions Lahore Lions are struggling to save the game against Wapda after being dominated throughout the day’s play.

Lions made only 218-9 to add to their overnight score of 70-1 in reply to Wapda’s 542-6, thanks largely to Ali Bhutta’s five-for. After being asked to follow on, the Lions have already lost two wickets to end the day at 4-2.

Rain rain, go away

Rain has almost certainly condemned the match between NBP and Peshawar Panthers to a draw as the entire day was washed out. The Panthers were 45-1 at the close of play, in reply to NBP’s first innings score of 170.

The same fate was suffered by ZTBL vs Islamabad Leopards as no play was possible. ZTBL will begin day four at 12-0 in their second innings.

Meanwhile, the Rawalpindi Rams would be thankful of the rain as UBL had taken full control of their match on day two. Rams were dismissed for just 130 before UBL made 252-3 at the end of the second day. However, a rained-out day three means that UBL will now be racing against the clock to close out the match.

PIA close to win

PIA are nearing victory over Karachi Zebras, who have vastly improved their batting performance in the second innings but are still struggling to win the match as only four wickets remain.

Zebras finished the day at 243-6, needing another 151 to win the game. Tahir Khan has accounted for four of the six wickets to fall, and will be hoping to claim his fifth when the fourth and final day resumes today.

Hyderabad need six wickets to win

The Hyderabad Hawks need six wickets to win their match against PTV, who require a whopping 309 on the final day to win the match.

Published in The Express Tribune, October 15^th, 2014.

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