Wasim returns to form with a century

Islamabad, Nov 22: Out of favour Test batsman Mohammad Wasim announced his return to form with a valiant 112 (133 balls) studded with 15 boundaries to help Rawalpindi reach respectability in their first innings total of 283 for 7 against Gujranwala here on the first day of Quaid-i-Azam Trophy fixture at Pindi Cricket Stadium.

The top order batsman saved Rawalpindi from complete dire straits as the hosts were perilously placed at 134 for 6. For the seventh wicket Wasim and wicket-keeper Nadeem Abbasi (59 not out 89 balls 8x4, 1x6) added 149 runs 113 minutes to raise the total to 283.

Wasim who slammed his first ton of the first class season against Bahawalpur ten days ago, was in punishing form to reach his second hundred. The right-hander however, had one life when at 21 a thick edge was dropped by the slip fielder off pacer Mubashir Nazir. Afterwards Wasim batted effortlessly. Trying to glace pacer Basit Butt he was caught off Khalid at 112, he consumed 189 minutes during stay at the crease.

Put into bat, the hosts found themselves in deep waters with three batsman back in the pavilion at the total of 43. Opener Asif Mahmood failed to open his account on nine balls whereas all rounder Yasir Arafat sent up fell for 5 to leave Rawalpindi tottering at 16 for 2. The hosts struggling to stabilize their innings received another jolt when debutant pacer Adnan Farooq struck for the second time dismissing well set opener Naveed Qureshi at 23 (42 balls, 3x4).