Yasir Arafat 170 rescues Khan Research Laboratories

On an eventful first day of the Multan-Khan Research Laboratories (KRL) at the Multan Cricket Stadium, the visitors recovered from 9 for 5 to 304. Multan chose to bowl and were rewarded straightaway, as their new-ball pair, Tahir Maqsood and Shahbaz Hussain - ripped apart KRL's top order. KRL lost four of their top six for ducks, but stiff resistance from Mohammad Idrees and Yasir Arafat rescued them. The pair put on 192 for the sixth wicket, before Idrees was caught on 86. Arafat, though, held firm and went on to score his first-class best: 170. Shahbaz came back to complete his five-for, as KRL were bowled out at the stroke of stumps.

A 150-run stand for the eighth wicket between Faraz Ahmed and Mansoor Ahmed took Karachi Whites to a commendable 371 against Hyderabad on day two at the Niaz Stadium in Sind. The pair had put on 82 together on the first day, and went on to make their best first-class scores after resuming on 292 for 7. Faraz hit his maiden first-class century, his 124 studded with 18 fours and a six, while Mansoor scored a patient 70. Legspinner Zahid Mahmood finally claimed the pair, to finish with 4 for 95. Tabish Khan then continued his top form in the tournament, claiming three top-order Hyderabad wickets, to leave them wobbling at 43 for 3. A steadying century partnership between Taj Wasan and Ghulam Yasin followed, but two quick wickets prior to stumps handed Karachi Whites control.

Lahore Ravi took control of their match against Quetta at the Gaddafi Stadium in Lahore, courtesy a solid batting performance from their middle order. Lahore Ravi went from 39 for 1 to 277 for 5 on the second day, in reply to Quetta's 172. Quetta struck two blows early in the morning session, but a 111-run stand between captain Usman Salahuddin and Mohammad Saad made sure they would not take the first-innings' lead. After Salahuddin fell for 82, Muzaffar Mahboob put on 84 for the fifth wicket with Saad. Saad went to stumps unbeaten on 84, and will hope to kick on and lock Quetta out of the game tomorrow.

A half-century partnership from United Bank Limited (UBL)'s last-wicket pair took them past 300 at the Lahore City Cricket Association Ground, following which their bowlers knocked over Lahore Shalimar for 196. Lahore Shalimar's openers looked settled, before offspinner Misbah Khan came on and made inroads. He claimed four wickets in a miserly 24-over spell, while fast bowler Shabbir Ahmed picked up three to keep the hosts below 200. Only opener Irfan Haider managed to go past 50 for Lahore Shalimar, but he was run out soon after by Mohammad Irshad. UBL's openers then batted out till stumps, stroking 38 in what could have been a testing six-over period, to give their side a 150-run lead going into day three.

Although Naeemuddin hit his sixth first-class hundred, Sui Northern Gas Pipelines Limited (SNGPL) could manage only 200 against Peshawar at the Arbab Niaz Stadium in Peshawar. Apart from Naeemuddin, the only resistance came from Usman Arshad, who made 54. The Peshawar bowlers shared the wickets around, but left-arm fast bowler Waqar Ahmed was the pick with four middle order scalps. Peshawar began their second innings with a 104-run lead cushion and looked for quick runs, but SNGPL fought back with four cheap wickets that left the hosts 67 for 4 at stumps.