Arshad, bowlers set up big win for SBP

Usman Arshad scored a crucial first-innings 91 to help lay the platform for State Bank of Pakistan's seven-wicket win over Port Qasim Authority in Karachi.

Having chosen to field first, State Bank bowled Port Qasim out for 189, with Asim Kamal top-scoring with 70. All five SBP bowlers got among the wickets, with left-arm spinner Hasan Mahmood the most successful with three wickets.

In reply, SBP were 40 for 2 when Arshad walked in. The match was still in the balance at 114 for 4 before Arshad and Mohammad Saad put State Bank firmly in the ascendancy with a 105-run fifth-wicket partnership. Arshad fell nine short of a century, after striking 15 fours in a 158-ball innings, while Saad made 56. State Bank were all out for 314, but they carried a healthy lead of 125.

Six Port Qasim batsmen got past 20 in their second innings, but none of them reached 50. It culminated in their being dismissed for 217, with seamer Tabish Khan picking up four wickets, leaving State Bank a target of 93. They lost three quick wickets to go from 58 for no loss to 61 for 3, but Arshad took them home with a quickfire unbeaten 26.