Quaid-i-Azam Trophy: Sami stakes claim with flawless performance

Karachi, Jan 21: Rookie paceman Mohammad Sami produced a classic performance in taking five for 64 as Karachi Whites obtained a first innings lead of 79 runs over Lahore Blues on the second day of the Quaid-i-Azam Trophy Grade-I final at the National Stadium on Sunday.

Sami's flawless efforts have given another reminder to the national selectors with the tour of New Zealand approaching in a few weeks. Among the 20-year-old fast bowler's victims were Test all-rounders Abdur Razzaq and Wasim Akram.

After a barren first spell, Sami never looked back as he bowled with rhythm and control from an economical run-up on a pitch that is still on the slow side despite its greenish appearance.

Lahore Blues were restricted to 218 all out in 66.2 overs after Karachi Whites' last four wickets crashed for 11 runs to the second new ball in the opening 35 minutes of play.

Razzaq claimed two more scalps to finish with excellent analysis of six for 79. Akram took three for 67 while Mohammad Masroor, who made 57 off 71 balls, was adjudged run out by umpire Aleem Dar before he had faced a ball on the second day.

However, Karachi Whites have gained the ascendancy at stumps by extending their lead to 93 with all second innings wickets intact.

Shahid Anwar hit four boundaries before he was caught behind for 21 off Shahid Iqbal. The Lahore Blues skipper had a reprieve on six when Aamir Hanif in the slips floored him off Sami.

Fareed Butt fell to an inswinging yorker to Sami for eight before the same bowler had Bazid Khan (10) edging a comfortable catch to Aamir Hanif at second slip.

Only two Lahore Blues batsmen stood the onslaught of Sami and Shahid Afridi, who in a new role bowled medium-pacers in the reminiscence of Australian dual purpose bowler Colin Miller with Moin Khan standing a fair distance away.

Imran Farhat, the opener, smashed nine fours and six in a stroke-filled 67 off 95 deliveries in 135 minutes. Test leg-spinner Danish Kaneria bowled one forgetful over to the left-hander who blasted him for three fours and a pulled six over mid-wicket.

Imran, the dominant partner in a second wicket stand of 76 with Fareed, followed next when he fended a rising delivery to Afridi, who gleefully grasped the chance on the follow-through. Imran also had a let off Sami on 66 with Shadab Kabir being the culprit in the gully.

Wasim Akram hung around for 27 minutes for a 23-ball six before Sami clipped his off-stump bail with a beauty that went through the gate as the former Pakistan skipper attempted an extravagant cover drive.

Razzaq played the other major knock for the visitors until Sami hit his middle-stump to terminate Lahore Blues' innings. The 21-year-old Test star made 51 off 93 balls with seven fours and one six in a stay of 131 minutes.

Kaneria then took a stunning catch on the run at fine-leg when Humayun Farhat tried to hook a well disguised bouncer from Afridi.

Afridi complemented Sami splendidly with figures of three for 75 to follow his brilliant chanceless century on Saturday.

Lahore Blues, though, are still in with a chance as anything can happen in the next three days of this enthralling battle.