News

Latif 153 propels Karachi Whites to 391

A round-up of the second day of the sixth round matches of the Quaid-e-Azam Trophy

21-Nov-2007

Group A

Khalid Latif, the former Pakistan Under-19 captain, made his way to a career-best 153 as Karachi Whites posted 391 against Multan at the UBL Sports Complex. Latif was at the crease for close to nine-and-a-half hours and faced 449 balls, hitting 11 fours and three sixes. Latif was able to extend his overnight score of 70 with the help of wicketkeeper Javed Mansoor (40), with whom he added 90 runs for the sixth wicket. By the close of play, Multan had lost the Tariq brothers - Hammad and Usman, for the addition of 29 runs.
At the Iqbal Stadium, Faisalabad, at 227 for 8, still needed 18 more runs to claim the first-innings lead against Hyderabad. They were led by skipper Ijaz Ahmed jnr, who scored 72 off 176 balls, with seven fours. Left-arm spinner Pir Zulfiqur ensured that Hyderabad were kept in the hunt with figures of 4 for 50.
Water and Power Development Authority (WAPDA) bowled out group leaders Habib Bank Limited (HBL) for 138 to claim the first-innings lead at the Sheikhupura Stadium. Kashif Raza, the right-arm medium-pacer, took 5 for 55 and was assisted by seamer Azharullah, who had figures of 3-30, as three top-order batsmen from HBL fell without scoring. Opener Rafatullah Mohmand scored 52 off 138 balls, and along with captain Hasan Raza (32) and Humayun Farhat (23), ensured that HBL went past the 100-run mark. Earlier, WAPDA could only add four runs to their overnight first-innings score to be bowled out for 194; left-arm spinner Mohammad Aslam finishing with 5 for 28. By the close of play, WAPDA had stumbled to 46 for 3, but more importantly, extended their lead to 102.
Lahore Ravi were propelled to 371 after a maiden first-class hundred from Waqas Ahmed, who put the Sui Southern Gas Company (SSGC) bowlers to the sword at the Lahore Country Club. Waqas, the No. 9 batsman, resuming on his overnight score of 54, smashed his way to 114 off 79 balls with 13 fours and four sixes. SSGC made a positive reply, reaching 169 for 3 when stumps were drawn. Opener Asif Zakir was still at the crease, unbeaten on 90 off 167 balls.
At the Jinnah Stadium, Pakistan Customs reached 80 for no loss to even out the first-innings lead gained by Sialkot. Opener Usman Ahmed, with 63 not out, led the Customs' response after Sialkot had scored 225 in their first innings to claim an 80-run lead. Faisal Khan (66) and wicketkeeper Khalid Mahmood, who scored 55 off just 53 balls, were the best Sialkot batsman on view.

Group B

Abbottabad, relying on an unbeaten 78 from Riaz Kail, reached 198 for 4 in response to Karachi Blues' 363 at the Abbottabad Cricket Stadium. Kail was involved in a 94-run fourth-wicket stand with captain Adnan Raees (42) after Abbottabad had lost their first three wickets for 67 runs. Earlier, Karachi Blues added 91 runs to their overnight score, with 41 of those runs scored by the left-handed opener Shadab Khabir (167). Abbottabad's left-arm spinner, Noor-ul-Amin, had a satisfying outing, finishing with figures of 5 for 131 as the last six Blues wickets fell for the addition of 83 runs.
Pakistan International Airlines had Islamabad reeling at 88 for 6 after declaring at 404 for 8 at the Diamond Cricket Club Ground. The wrecker-in-chief from PIA was seamer Aizaz Cheema, who took 4 for 11. Cheema was supported by Fazl-e-Akbar, who had figures of 2 for 29. Earlier, PIA, riding on useful knocks by Shoaib Khan snr (76), Anwar Ali (74), and Fahad Iqbal (41), managed to extend their overnight score, which stood at 214 for 3.
At the Mirpur Cricket Stadium, Rawalpindi had Lahore Shalimar in trouble at 92 for 5 after scoring 284 in their first innings. Earlier, Lahore opening bowler Mohammad Naved took 6 for 91 to bowl out Rawalpindi. When they resume tomorrow, Lahore will need 43 more runs to make Rawalpindi bat again.
Khurram Shehzad's heroics enabled Sui Northern Gas Pipeline Limited (SNGPL) to reach 298 from their overnight score of 52 for 5 and claim a 140-run lead against Peshawar at the Arbab Niaz Stadium. Shehzad powered his way to 166, his maiden first-class hundred, a knock which contained 24 fours and two sixes. By the close of play, Peshawar had crashed to 64 for 4, still needing 76 runs to avoid defeat.
Quetta posted 460 after resuming on their overnight score of 200 for 5 against Zarai Taraiqiati Bank Limited at the Khan Research Laboratory Ground. After Jalat Khan (75) fell early on the second day, some solid batting from Arun Lal (68) and a 83-run ninth-wicket partnership between Naseer Khan (52) and wicketkeeper Sanaullah Khan (50 not out) ensured that Quetta extended their score. ZTBL were eight for no loss when stumps were drawn.