Sialkot end Karachi’s resistance

Mohaamad Ayub continues his good form for Sialkot in Quaid Trophy.

Sialkot ended Karachi Blues’ resistance as they chased down the 153-run target for the loss of just one wicket with Mohammad Ayub continuing his fine form hitting an unbeaten 84 at the National Stadium. Ayub, who scored 134 in the first-innings, hit 10 fours in his 85-ball knock after the Blues were dismissed for 371. However, the match tilted in Sialkot’s way after they gained a 219-run lead in the first-innings as they declared at 379 for nine in reply to Karachi’s paltry 160.

Pindi thrash Islamabad

Rawalpindi demolished Islamabad by eight wickets at the Diamond Ground. Having set a 50-run target on the last day, Rawalpindi finished the job in the 10th over. Rawalpindi were indebted to Shoaib Nasir’s century and Zahid Mansoor (64) who helped their team gain a first-innings lead of 187 after Islamabad were bundled out for 218. Islamabad failed to improve their batting and managed just 236 the second time around as Rawalpindi were set a meagre total.

HBL win by eight wickets

HBL finished their job early on the final day as they overhauled the 181-run target for the loss of two wickets at the Pindi Stadium against ZTBL. Ahmed Shahzad hit an unbeaten 94 while Mohammad Khalil took two for 49 to finish with seven wickets in the match.  ZTBL were put on the back foot after they were dismissed for 118 before HBL managed 299. Yasir Hameed’s 171 took them to 361 but Shahzad’s performance enabled them to win without any hiccups.

NBP-SNGPL match drawn

NBP drew against SNGPL after only two overs were possible on the final day at the Iqbal Stadium in Faisalabad. NBP, who made 155 in the first innings before SNGPL replied with 135, reached 112 for four before the play ended.

PIA win thriller

Wapda made a match out of a stiff 326-run target but fell short by just 18 runs to hand PIA a win on the fourth day at the Marghazar Ground in Islamabad.

Sohaib Maqsood hit 103 off just 98 balls, Aamir Sajjad scored 70 but Aizaz Bin Ilyas took six for 82 and Anwar Ali claimed three for 109 as PIA beat top-of-the-league Wapda.

Published in The Express Tribune, December 8^th, 2010.