Rapid hundred by Imran Nazir

Imran Nazir punished Wapda bowlers as he stroked a whirlwind century for National Bank on the opening day of the four-day Patron's Trophy match at the Iqbal Stadium in Faisalabad on Friday (according to information made available).

The gutsy opener, who was recalled from New Zealand after the one-day series, belted a 117-ball 111 with 17 boundaries and two sixes as the bankers were dismissed for 271 in 70.3 overs.

Aleem Moosa, the pacer, then picked up two wickets in three overs to leave Wapda struggling at 50 for three at stumps.

Imran played a silent spectator's role in the 59-run first wicket stand which was dominated by former international opener Sajid Ali (32).

Imran then featured in a less than run-a-ball 83-run third wicket stand with Akhtar Sarfaraz (42).

He was eventually dismissed by Tariq Aziz at the score of 238 with his fifth wicket asso-ciation with Saeed Azad yielding 64. For Wapda, paceman Kashif Raza was the outstanding bowler when he captured six wickets for 61 runs from 21.3 overs.