Karachi Blues struggle against Sialkot

Karachi Blues’ struggle to 136 for eight after Sialkot declared at 379 for nine.

Karachi Blues’ misery continued as they struggled to 136 for eight after Sialkot declared at 379 for nine on the second day at the National Stadium. Imran Malik took four for 22 as Blues found runs hard to come by. Ramiz Raja scored 37 but the hosts’ innings was in stark contrast to Sialkot’s that featured a 289-run fifth wicket partnership between Mohammad Ayub and Mansoor Amjad. The pair resumed their innings with Ayub making 134 while Amjad finished with 157.

Rawalpindi on top

Rawalpindi gained a 135-run lead in the first innings as they reached 353 for seven against Islamabad who were bundled out for 218 on the first day at the Diamond Ground. Shoaib Nasir scored a superb hundred to lead Rawalpindi’s reply and even though Fakhir Hussain took five for 56 for the hosts, the day belonged to Rawalpindi.

Multan improve

Multan staged a minor comeback against Faisalabad as they made 207 for nine, a huge improvement on their first-innings total of 81, to take a 118-run lead on the second day at the Dring Stadium in Bahawalpur. Kashif Naved made 97 and Zakaur Rasheed hit 54. Earlier, Faisalabad resumed on 163 for nine but were bowled out after adding seven runs as Abdur Rauf finished with eight for 85.

ZTBL trail by 37 runs

Yasir Hameed hit a quick 88 off just 105 deliveries as ZTBL recovered against HBL to reach 144 for three on the second day at the Pindi Stadium. Hameed remained unbeaten at close as ZTBL, facing a first-innings deficit of 181, still trail by 37 runs with seven wickets remaining. Danish Kaneria took the three ZTBL wickets for 31 runs. Earlier, HBL added 169 to their overnight total before being bowled out for 299. Mohammad Khalil, who heads the wicket tally in the Quaid Trophy, took five for 64.

NBP’s bowlers destroy SNGPL

NBP did well to reach 73 for no loss after bundling out SNGPL for 135 at the Iqbal Stadium in Faisalabad to extend their lead to 93. It was NBP’s bowling that did the trick as SNGPL resumed on 73 for two to be sent packing after losing their last eight wickets for 62 runs. Uzairul Haq took three for 36 and Mohammad Imran claimed three for 21 to put NBP on top.

Match balanced

PIA reached 68 for three after dismissing Wapda for 201 on the second day at the Marghazar Ground in Islamabad. PIA, who were dismissed for 214 in the first innings, were indebted to Aizaz Bin Ilyas who took four for 57 to help them take a slender 13-run lead before it was extended to 81.

Published in The Express Tribune, December 6^th, 2010.