Umar Akmal shines for SNGPL

Umar Akmal, who was axed from Pakistan's Test squad for the series against Sri Lanka, responded with a quick 97 for Sui Northern Gas Pipelines Limited against Khan Research Laboratories at the Khan Research Laboratory Ground in Rawalpindi. None of SNGPL's other batsmen, though, went past fifty and they were bowled out for 223. Umar's knock came after his side had lost their top three cheaply. He struck 14 boundaries and took 110 balls to reach 97. He was denied a century by Yasir Ali, who dismissed him caught behind. Yasir took five wickets in the innings, four of them caught by the keeper. KRL lost an early wicket in their reply and were 42 for 1 at stumps.

A 76-run 10th wicket partnership helped Lahore Ravi get to 276 against Lahore Shalimar at the Lahore City Cricket Association Ground. After being put in to bat Lahore Ravi lost two early wickets, but a 90-run partnership between Mohammad Saad and Abid Ali gave them a firm base. Saad stayed solid as wickets fell around him and scored 66 off 184 balls. Debutant Ali Manzoor took six wickets and reduced Lahore Ravi to 200 for 9 before Aamer Hayat and Waqas Aslam put together 76 for the last wicket, with Hayat getting 38. Lahore Shalimar's bowlers were profligate, giving away 42 extras including 11 no-balls. Lahore Shalimar then finished the day at 24 for 1.

Half-centuries from Shahid Qambrani and Rizwan Ahmed got Hyderabad to 244 for 4 against Quetta at the Niaz Stadium in Hyderabad. Qambrani had retired hurt in his innings but returned to reach 82 not out by stumps. Ahmed scored 61 and Jamshed Baig was not out on 39 by the end of the day to leave Hyderabad in a strong position.

Multan were shot out for 67 on the first day of their Quaid-e-Azam Trophy Division Two match against hosts Peshawar, at the Arbab Niaz Stadium. Opening bowlers Nauman Habib and Riaz Afridi did most of the damage, claiming eight wickets between them, as none of the Multan batsmen barring Mohammad Waris managed to go past 10. In reply, Peshawar's batsmen were steady. Openers Mohammad Fayyaz and Haroon Ahmed put on 73, before Naved Khan and Sajjad Ahmed negotiated till stumps, taking Peshawar to 165 for 2.

Karachi Whites, choosing to bowl, ripped apart United Bank Limited line-up at the United Bank Limited Sports Complex in Karachi. United Bank Limited were reduced to 28 for 7, before some late resistance from Adnan Baig, Mohammad Irshad and Kashif Bhatti carried them to 139. Fast bowler Tabish Khan was the wrecker-in-chief, with figures of 6 for 48. Karachi Whites were not too much better in reply, slumping to 108 for 6. Saeed Bin Nasir was the only one to get going for Karachi, going to stumps unbeaten on 45.