ZBTL stutter after restricting Attock Group

Habib Bank Limited (HBL) gained a lead of 114 with three wickets remaining at the end of the second day's play of the fifth round of the Patron's Trophy against Pakistan Customs at the National Bank of Pakistan Sports Complex Stadium.

After the bowlers had cleaned up Customs for 194, the Habib Bank openers, Rafatullah Mohamand and Taufeeq Umar, pushed for the advantage and got half-centuries each. Khaqan Raja, the No. 3 batsman, also managed a half-century while Farhan Iqbal, the wikcetkeeper ended the day at 49 not out. Pir Zulfiqar, the Customs left-arm spinner, got four wickets in his 33 overs.

Habib Bank have qualified for the Quadrangular Stage, that starts on December 5, after collecting the full 27 points from their first three matches. Customs with a mere three points to their credit are not in contention.

Zarai Taraqiati Bank Limited (ZTBL) were 146 runs short of gaining the first-innings lead, as they ended day two of the fifth round of their Patron's Trophy match against Attock Group, at the United Bank Limited Sports Complex Ground in a precarious state.

Chasing a rather modest total of 225 runs, ZTBL lost four wickets with only 79 on the board by the day's close.

Khurram Shahzad (82) had lifted Attock Group after Manzoor Ali, the opener, added just three more runs to his overnight 55. Five wickets were gone for a mere 82 but Khurram and wicketkeeper Sajid Mahmood (38) helped add 110 runs for the sixth-wicket stand.

Mohammad Khalil, the Pakistan left-arm pace bowler, continued his successful run with 6 for 44 as Attock Group's last four batsmen added only 33 runs.

ZTBL then got rattled by the Attock Group bowlers. Opener Atif Ashraf was out for a duck with the scoreboard showing seven. Umar Javed, the No. 3 batsman, was 36 not out at the end of the day along with Adnan Raza at 10.