Maqbool, Kaneria blitz Baluchistan

Baluchistan were blown away for 173 by the spinning pair of Atif Maqbool and Danish Kaneria as Sind assumed control on the curtailed opening day of the Faysal Bank Pentagular Cup, at the Lahore City Cricket Association Ground.

Baluchistan's start suggested they had come to terms with the challenges of the Sind attack, as the openers moved passed 50 without much ado. That was the cue for the spin twins to begin their handiwork. Kaneria's legspin accounted for Shoaib Khan jnr, who wa bowed, while Maqbool's offspin induced Abid Ali to nick behind. From there, it was a steady procession of wickets as the pair chipped away mercilessly. Naved Yasin dropped anchor at one end, and remained unbeaten on 25, but wickets kept tumbling at the other end. Maqbool surged to his seventh first-class five-for before finishing with career-best figures of 6 for 69, while Kaneria, who has fallen out of favour with the Pakistan selectors, picked up 4 for 49. Sind saw off the two overs that were possible in their innings, without loss.

Khyber-Pakhtunkhwa Province made slow progress in the 38 overs of play that were possible against Federal Areas, as they went to stumps at 82 for 4 at the Gaddafi Stadium. Nasrullah Khan was their chief tormentor, removing the top order to end the day with figures of 3 for 20 from nine overs. Mohammad Fayyaz and Aftab Alam managed to get starts, but could not get past the 20s. Wajid Ali decided to hold one end up, and proceeded to an unbeaten 11 off 83 balls. He will attempt to salvage the situation on the second day.