Ariz writes himself into record books

Teenage Ariz Kamal wrote himself into record books with a century on first-class debut as Karachi Whites posted a commanding 316 for three at stumps on the opening day of the four-day Quaid-i-Azam Trophy match against Rest of Balochistan at the National Stadium Monday.

Ariz, who narrowly missed selection in the Pakistan Under-19 team for this month's Youth World Cup, stroked a flawless 119 during his 325-minute stay. His innings was laced with 15 boundaries off 288 balls.

The right-handed opener, who was dismissed in the fourth last over of the day yorked by off-spinner Naseer Khan, left Hasan Raza's entertaining unbeaten 157 in the background with his century. It was Hasan's second century of the season and 14th of career.

Ariz and Hasan gave Rest of Balochistan, a run for their money after Faisal Irfan (two for 61) picked up two cheap wickets in the first hour's play to leave the home team at 31 for two. The two young guns, who matched each other stroke-by-stroke, put on 282 for third wicket.

Ariz, who was 26 at lunch in Karachi Whites' 107 for two, overcame a rush of blood in the second session before reaching the magical figures in the final session with an exquisitely timed straight boundary.

Hasan, on the contrary, was aggressive and braced his nicely controlled innings with a flurry of delightful boundaries - mostly through the off side. Having easily overtaken his inexperienced partner at lunch, Hasan got to his century in the last over before tea with a sweetly timed cover-drive off Faisal Irfan.

Hasan has so far batted for nine minutes under five hours and doesn't look in any mood to throw away the opportunity of getting another double century. He has faced 231 balls out of his 20 have been converted into boundaries and one over the fence.