Quaid-e-Azam Trophy Gold Final, Day 2: SNGPL take upper hand with Rizwan’s unbeaten 126

Lahore-based outfit finish second day with 36-run lead against NBP

KARACHI: An unbeaten century by Muhammad Rizwan helped SNGPL to take a 36-run lead over NBP on day two of the final of the Quaid-e-Azam Trophy Gold League at Karachi’s National Stadium.

Rizwan, who was a part of the national squad in last year’s series against the West Indies and more recently a member of Pakistan A in five one-dayers against Kenya, scored an unbeaten 126 off 180 balls with 19 boundaries.

The day began with NBP batting on 239 with two wickets in hand; youngster Manzoor Khan took only two balls to dismiss the remaining players.

NBP were only able to add three more runs to their first-innings total as Manzoor bowled out Qaiser Abbas (59) and Ahmed Jamal (nine) to end NBP’s innings on 242 in 93.4 overs.

As SNGPL initiated their first innings, Jamal took two quick wickets, first dismissing captain Taufeeq Umar (18) after a 40-run partnership with Naeemuddin, and then sending Azhar Ali (24) back to the pavilion in the 26th over. Almost instantly, the tournament’s top scorer Naeemuddin was bowled out by Ziaul Haq.

Rizwan then took command of the field and achieved two big partnerships; a 95-run stand with Ali Waqas and a 113-run one with Khurram Shahzad.

“The pitch condition is better if we compare it to NBP’s innings, as it has started to favour batsmen and our players are taking advantage of it,” said SNGPL coach Basit Ali while talking to The Express Tribune. “We are in a strong position as we still have six wickets in hand, which is a good sign for the team.”

‘Difficult to predict first-innings score’

Basit said it would be difficult to predict their first-innings total as NBP have taken a new ball, which can make things difficult for the batsmen.

“We will try to post as big a lead as we can,” he said.

The coach added that Rizwan was a good find and his 126 not out in the current innings can prove to go a long way.

Meanwhile, 22-year-old Rizwan, who has scored 561 runs in his nine matches of this tournament, says he is fully focused on winning the final match.

“I have gained a lot of confidence from my seniors and coach,” said Rizwan. “I’ll be trying to stay on the crease and score more for the team to give NBP a huge lead.

“Jamal and Riaz are difficult bowlers and Zia, with a new ball, is a big threat, but I will face them with great resolve and determination.”

 

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