United Bank's huge win and Zia's nine-for

Agha Salman helped Lahore Blues avoid the ignominy of registering the lowest total in the history of Pakistan first-class cricket, but couldn't prevent United Bank Limited from romping home by an innings and 206 runs at the Gadaffi Stadium.

Centuries from Umair Khan and Saeed Bin Nasir helped UBL declare their first innings on 432 for 5 after being inserted by Blues. In reply, the Blues were reduced to 21 for 7, before being bowled out for 96. Only Salman, who scored 56, offering some kind of resistance. The previous lowest total was 20 by National Bank of Pakistan against Pakistan Customs in 1998. Seamer Ehsan Adil, who last played a Test for Pakistan in Sri Lanka earlier this year in Pallekele, was the main destroyer of Lahore's batting. His four-wicket haul included three in the same over.

Following on, Blues didn't do much better,as the left-arm pace and spin combine of Mir Hamza and Yasim Murtaza picked up eight wickets between them to bowl them out for 130.

Left-arm seamer Zia-ul-Haq picked up nine wickets in the match as National Bank of Pakistan thumped Karachi Whites by an innings and 23 runs at the National Stadium.

Zia, who hails from Vehari, the town where Waqar Younis was born, has been in contention for national selection for a year now following his successful stint with the under-19 team. He was part of the Pakistan A squad that toured Sri Lanka in May this year, and took six wickets in three List A games and three wickets in the three-match unofficial Test series. He was subsequently drafted into the Pakistan T20 squad in place of Wahab Riaz but returned without making it the playing XI.

Fawad Alam's double-century, however, was the key to National Bank making 465 in their first innings. Along with Umar Waheed, who scored a hundred, he ensured that the lead swelled to 238 before the bowlers took over again in Karachi's second innings.

In Hyderabad, Sui Northern Gas Pipelines Limited beat the home team by 153 runs. The conclusion of the game, however, was followed by controversies.

The local Sindhi daily, Kawish, reported that at least three cricketers were caught taking part in 'immoral activities' in a private party. This led to the PCB omitting Umar Akmal from Pakistan's T20 squad for the games against England. The incident, however, remained unconfirmed as Umar and two other cricketers, including Hyderabad captain Azeem Ghumman, denied any wrongdoing.