Big wins for SNGPL, Port Qasim

A second-innings century from Naeemuddin and a seven-wicket haul from Samiullah Khan were the highlights in Sui Northern Gas Pipelines Limited's 169-run victory against United Bank Limited in Islamabad.

SNGPL made 289 after choosing to bat, and were dismissed early on the second day. Their innings was propped up by a brace of half-centuries in the middle order from Ali Waqas and Khurram Shehzad. Prince Abbas took 5 for 81 for UBL, while their wicketkeeper Bismillah Khan claimed seven dismissals. UBL's first innings also depended on two half-centuries, from Ali Asad and Bismillah, as no one else made more than 21. Ahmed Safi Abdullah took 4 for 41 as UBL were skittled for 266 on the third day.

SNGPL opener Naeemuddin built his side's slender first-innings lead of 23 by making 101. His partner Imran Butt made 50, and though Ali Zahid took 5 for 72 for UBL, SNGPL made 268 for 8 at 3.88 an over and declared, setting UBL 292 to win in less than a day. Samiullah took 4 for 34 to help SNGPL dismiss UBL for 122 in only 33.4 overs to complete the victory.

A century from Khurram Manzoor was at the forefront of a solid batting performance from Port Qasim Authority, after which Sohail Khan took 5 for 55 and Abdur Rauf took 6 for 108 to rout Zarai Taraqiati Bank Limited by an innings and 17 runs in Islamabad.

PQA were put into bat and all 11 of their batsmen made double-figure scores. Three of them made half-centuries to back up Manzoor's 139 at the top, and even the No. 11 Sohail Khan scored 46 off 31 deliveries. ZTBL's bowlers conceded 34 runs in extras as PQA amassed 508 before they were dismissed on the second day after batting 150.1 overs.

ZTBL lasted only 136.4 overs in both their innings put together. They collapsed for 218 in the first innings on the third day, with only opener Zohaib Khan making more than 50, and Sohail taking a five-wicket haul for PQA. With time remaining an issue, PQA enforced the follow on, and this time Abdur Rauf claimed a six-for to dismiss ZTBL for 273 on the final day. The only resistance came from Sohail Tanvir, who scored 63 at No. 7.

An unbeaten 150 from Iftikhar Ahmed, his third century of the tournament, helped steer Water and Power Development Authority to a draw against National Bank of Pakistan at the Rawalpindi Cricket Stadium, although National Bank still claimed three points by virtue of a first-innings lead.

Batting first, National Bank scored 399 in their first innings, thanks to a 162 from Sami Aslam, and half-centuries from Nasir Jamshed (53) and Fawad Alam (69), and despite a four-wicket haul from Azhar Attari. WAPDA, in reply, were bowled out for 231, with Iftikhar the only batsman collecting a half-century, as he fought his way to 56. Zia-ul-Haq was the pick of National Bank's bowlers, taking 5 for 55, while Hammad Azam chipped in with three scalps.

Having earned a 168-run lead, National Bank enforced the follow-on. WAPDA once again struggled, falling to 147 for 6, but Iftikhar battled out for more than eight hours. With none of his team-mates managing more than 43, Iftikhar stayed unbeaten on 150, hitting 21 fours during his 381-ball knock, to ensure that WAPDA avoided defeat.

Islamabad Leopards and Rawalpindi Rams played out a draw at the Diamond Club Ground in Islamabad. It was Rams who made the early running in the match, posting 351 in the first innings on the back of fifties from Naved Malik (80) and Yasim Murtaza (61). Imad Wasim (78) and Sarmad Bhatti (86) led Leopards' reply with fifties of their own, but a five-wicket haul from Haseeb Azam meant that they were bowled out for 253, giving Rams a lead of 98.

Naved once again hit a half-century in the second innings, top-scoring with 89, while the opener Shoaib Nasir contributed 50, as Rams declared at 261 for 8, setting Leopards 360 for victory.

Rams had more than 50 overs to bowl Leopards out, but an unbeaten 51 from Mohammad Irfan guided Leopards to safety. They were 152 for 4 when stumps were called.