Habib Bank enforce follow-on against Sialkot

Karachi Whites took a crucial first-innings lead against Sui Southern Gas Company (SSGC) on the second day at the National Stadium. By the close of play, after having restricted SSGC to 221, Karachi Whites reached 280 for 8 in reply and were 59 runs ahead in the first innings. The home team nosed ahead despite a splendid performance by SSGC's medium-pacer Sohail Khan who took his third consecutive five-for in first-class cricket. Sohail took 5 for 58 off 15 overs while SSGC's opening bowler Rajesh Ramesh toiled for 3 for 104 off 22 overs. Karachi batsman Asad Shafiq carried his team with 69 off 113 balls with 11 fours and a six. Afsar Nawaz made an unbeaten 50 to continue his good form, facing 76 deliveries and hitting seven fours and a six. Karachi Whites captain Mohammad Sami took 3 for 49 and was supported by Tanvir Ahmed, who took 3 for 57.

Habib Bank Limited (HBL) forced Sialkot to follow on at the Lahore Country Club in Muridke. After scoring 369 in the first-innings, HBL dismissed Sialkot for 165 in reply. Trailing by 204 runs, Sialkot ended the second day on 30 for 1 in the second innings. They need another 175 runs to make HBL bat again. Resuming on 340 for 8, HBL were dismissed for 369 runs. Sialkot fast bowler Mohammad Wasim finished with figures of 5 for 118. Sialkot were undone by the legspin of Danish Kaneria, who bagged 4 for 62. Aslam Qureshi took 3 for 32 off 16 overs.

At the Multan Cricket Stadium, Water and Power Development Authority (WAPDA) replied to Multan's 238 all out with 223 for 5. WAPDA need only 15 runs to secure a first innings lead with five wickets in hand.

Faisalabad took a 96-run lead in the first innings against Pakistan Customs at the Iqbal Stadium. Asif Hussain top scored with 95 off 200 balls with eight fours and a six as Faisalabad scored 278 for 5.

National Bank of Pakistan (NBP) were only eight runs behind Lahore Ravi, having made 275 for 6 at the Gaddafi Stadium in Lahore. Naved Latif remained unbeaten on 97 off 138 balls in a little over three hours with 13 fours and two sixes.

Peshawar were reduced to 59 for 5 in response to Karachi Blues' total of 404 on the second day at the National Bank of Pakistan Stadium. Trailing by 345 runs, Peshawar required another 196 runs to avoid the follow-on but they've already lost five top-order batsmen. Left-arm fast bowler Malik Aftab struck three rapid blows as Peshawar lost their first four wickets with only five runs on the board. Nawaz Ahmed and captain Akbar Badshah added 48 runs for the fifth wicket. Nawaz remained unbeaten at stumps on 29. Earlier, after the openers Ali Asad (117) and Shadab Kabir (70) had given Karachi Blues' an excellent start, overnight batsman Aariz Kamal scored 76 off 164 balls with 10 fours. Aariz was involved in a 74-run stand for the third wicket with Sharjeel Ashraf (48), but Karachi Blues lost their way from their onwards. Left-arm seamer Bilal Khan took 4 for 63 and slow left-arm spinner Jibran Khan took 3 for 57 for Peshawar. Both Karachi Blues and Peshawar collected three points each in the Group B rankings. While Peshawar drew their previous match, Karachi Blues have lost and drawn one of their two games so far.

Lahore Shalimar recovered from 118 for 7 to post 261, gaining a first-innings lead of 131 against Quetta at the Bugti Stadium. By the close of play, Quetta were 170 for 7 in their second innings, which leaves them only 39 runs ahead with only three wickets in hand. Lahore Shalimar's pace bowlers M Saeed and M Shahzad were responsible for this turnaround. Saeed hit 59 off only 73 balls with four fours at No 8 while Shahzad followed his 5 for 47 by scoring 67 off 64 balls at No.10, an innings which included nine fours and two sixes.

Group leaders Islamabad clinched the first-innings lead against second-placed Rawalpindi a href="/pakistan/engine/match/313868.html">at the Diamond Cricket Club Ground. Islamabad replied with 267 for 7 on the second day after Rawalpindi had scored 246 in the first innings. Islamabad fast bowler Rauf Akbar, batting at No 8, scored 54 off 102 balls with nine fours, after having made successive scores of 80, 48 not out, 98 and 39 not out in Islamabad's first two matches in this tournament.

After Zarai Taraqiati Bank Limited (ZTBL), captained by Pakistan allrounder Abdul Razzaq, who was playing his first match after coming out of retirement, were bowled out for 275 at the Sheikhupura Stadium, Pakistan international Airlines reached 193 for 3 in reply.

At the Khan Research Laboratories (KRL) Stadium in Rawalpindi, Sui Northern Gas Pipeline Limited (SNGPL) took a 64-run lead in the first innings over KRL, who were dismissed for 190. SNGPL were 36 for no wicket in the second innings with a lead of exactly 100.