Report

Rawalpindi hammer Sialkot by an innings

A round-up of the action from the third day of the eighth round of matches in the Quaid-e-Azam Trophy Division One 2011-12

ESPNcricinfo staff
26-Nov-2011
An improved batting performance in the second innings could not help Sialkot avoid an innings defeat to Rawalpindi at the Rawalpindi Cricket Stadium. After having crumbled to 97 to concede a lead of 307, Sialkot made 288, with half-centuries from Mohammad Yasin, Nasir Iqbal and Mohammad Ayub. But no one went on to make a big score, with Yasin's 78 being the highest score of the innings. Sadaf Hussain and Rashid Latif too four wickets apiece for Rawalpindi.
Habib Bank roared back into contention against State Bank of Pakistan, skittling them out for 185 and starting strongly in their chase of 246 at the Diamond Club Ground in Islamabad. Having conceded a lead of 60 yesterday, Habib Bank's bowlers came hard at State Bank, with Sarmad Anwar leading the way with four wickets. Rameez Raja made 54, but apart from Rameez Alam's 31, there was little support. State Bank were 91 for 6 at one stage but the lower order dug in to carry them to 185. Ahmed Shehzad started Habib Bank's chase with an aggressive 77, hitting 14 fours off 89 deliveries. Habib Bank ended the day on 147 for 3, needing another 99 for a win.
Wajid Ali stretched Abbottabad's first innings to 288 but they still ended up conceding a 49-run lead to Islamabad at the Abbottabad Cricket Stadium. The lower order hung around with Wajid who hit 15 boundaries in making an unbeaten 94 off 150 deliveries. Nasrullah Khan claimed the last four wickets to finish with 6 for 95. Afaq Raheem and Umair Khan extended Islamabad's advantage further with a 129-run opening stand before Nabeeullah struck twice, removing Raheem for 66 and Raheel Majeed for 11. Umair was unbeaten on 72 at stumps with Islamabad on 198 for 2, an overall lead of 247.
Naseer Akram and Aqeel Ahmed triggered a collapse to dismiss Karachi Blues for 248 but the visitors were well in front against Faisalabad at the Iqbal Stadium in Faisalabad. Karachi had begun well, with Shahzaib Hasan and Asad Baig making fifties upfront. At 153 for 2, Karachi were sitting on a lead of 260 and looking good for much more. Naseer and Aqeel then struck repeatedly, with only Wajihuddin managing to resist for a while with his 41. Naseer finished with 6 for 71 while Aqeel had figures of 4 for 55. Mohammad Sami struck early as Faisalabad's chase got off to a poor start. They ended the day on 18 for 1, chasing a stiff 356.
Hammad Azam helped National Bank of Pakistan recover to set Pakistan International Airlines a target of 259 at the Jinnah Stadium in Sialkot. National Bank had slipped to 86 for 5 but Nasir Jamshed (66) helped Azam revive the innings. Azam played an attacking knock, smashing 12 fours and three sixes in his run-a-ball 93. Najaf Shah was the most successful bowler for PIA with three wickets. PIA started well in their chase, reaching 84 for 1 in 14 overs with Agha Sabir unbeaten on 41.
Water and Power Development Authority put up a strong display in their second innings, reaching 270 for 2 against Zarai Taraqiati Bank Limited at the National Ground in Islamabad. Rafatullah Mohmand made a breezy 117 while opener Ahmed Said dug in with a patient unbeaten 76 off 221 deliveries. Mohmand hit 17 fours and a six in his 141-ball knock after opener Asif Khan had fallen for 22 to Iftikhar Anjum. With ZTBL having taken a first-innings lead of 123, WAPDA ended the day 147 runs ahead.