Kamran shines with 268

Keeper guides NBP to a strong position in Quaid-i-Azam Trophy.

Out-of-favour wicket-keeper Kamran Akmal flayed Faisalabad’s bowling attack with an attacking 268 as NBP declared their first-innings on 467 for nine. The hosts fought through their openers who shared an unbroken 152-run partnership at stumps on the second day.

WAPDA in command over Karachi

Wapda dominated their match against Karachi Blues by declaring their first-innings on 399 for five, leaving Karachi Blues under intense pressure at 19 for one at close. Raffatullah (84) and Sohaib Maqsood, who scored 182, led Wapda to a commanding position on the second day.

PIA take control

PIA scored 388 and looked set for maximum points after restricting Sialkot to 142 for four. The PIA torch was carried by Anop Ravi, who remained unbeaten on 105. All Sialkot hopes were resting on Mohammad Ayub (47*) and Mansoor Amjad, who remained not out on 54.

HBL going bankrupt

Rawalpindi completed their rout of HBL who were bowled out for 164 on day two. Earlier, Rawalpindi posted 390 before being bowled out. Hussain (four for 63) and Fahad Maqsood (five for 83) were the only highlight for HBL.

Bowler’s paradise in Islamabad

The Diamond Ground in Islamabad continued to be a bowlers paradise as first SNGPL failed to impress by being bowled out at 185 and then Islamabad struggled to reach 205, losing nine wickets in the process. Imad Wasim tried to raise the hopes of the hosts by posting a half-century but the rest of the batsmen did little to assist him.

Multan frustrated

ZTBL frustrated hosts Multan after bowling them out for 143 and forcing follow-on where Multan made 149 for seven. Rehan Riaz took four wickets and Mohammad Khalil took three in the first innings and in the second innings Rao Iftikhar and Junaid Zia both took two wickets each.

Published in The Express Tribune, November 24^th, 2010.