PIA take first-innings lead
Aizaz Cheema's seven wickets gave Pakistan International Airlines the advantage in their last group game, against Karachi Blues
ESPNcricinfo staff
07-Jan-2011
Karachi Blues 49 for 3 and 146 (Rameez Raja jnr 54, Cheema 7-65) trail Pakistan International Airlines 262 (Sabir 77, Faisal 54, Tabish 5-77) by 67 runs with seven wickets in hand
Scorecard
Scorecard
Pakistan International Airlines moved firmly into the driving seat as they pressed for a place in the QEA Division One final, taking a 116-run first-innings lead over Karachi Blues, before reducing their opposition to 49 for 3 at the National Stadium in Karachi. Opener Agha Sabir could not push on and get a big score, falling prey to Babar Rehman after adding just three to his overnight 74, but Faisal Iqbal made a brisk 54 from 62 balls, with eight fours, and Sheraryar Ghani a sedate 48 to make sure PIA did not relinquish their advantage.
Seamer Tabish Khan picked up 5 for 77, including the wicket of Iqbal, trapped in front, to limit the damage, but Karachi were quickly in trouble in their second innings as well. Cheema was once again in the thick of things, dismissing Atif Ali and Saeed Bin Nasir for ducks, to take PIA another step closer to their goal.
PIA need to take all nine points from the game to overtake Rawalpindi and secure a finals berth.
