Fast bowlers give National Bank the advantage

National Bank of Pakistan's pace attack comprising Wahab Riaz, Mohammed Aamer and Mohammad Imran dismissed Lahore Shalimar for 134 in 36.4 overs, allowing their batsmen to take a lead by the end of the first day in Lahore. Riaz took 5 for 36, Imran 2 for 33, while Aamer bowled the last three batsmen to dismiss Lahore, for whom Mohammad Saeed's 32 was the top score. National Bank's openers Umar Amin and Rashid Riaz consolidated the advantage provided by the bowlers by adding 86 for the first wicket. Riaz fell on 45 but Amin went on to complete his half-century and also added 87 runs for the second wicket with Anwar Hafeez. National Bank ended the day on 173 for 1, with a lead of 39.

Pakistan fast bowler Iftikhar Anjum took 4 for 85 to limit Pakistan Customs to 280 on the first day against Zarai Taraqiati Bank in Sheikhupura. Pakistan Customs were in early trouble after choosing to bat, losing their first two wickets for 30. Their captain Bilal Shafayat led a recovery by scoring 55 but he failed to make a telling contribution. All of his team-mates also got off to starts - nine batsmen made it into double figures - but Zeeshan Ali's unbeaten 50 was the next highest score. Anjum, who struck three blows to the top-order, was supported by Abdul Razzaq who picked up 3 for 36. Pakistan Customs, however, hit back by dismissing Afaq Raheem late in the day to reduce Zarai Taraqiati Bank to 6 for 1.

Sui Northern Gas Pipelines took firm control of the contest against Karachi Whites in Karachi, dismissing the hosts for 121, and ending the first day with a lead of 13 and eight wickets in hand. SNGPL's new-ball attack of Samiullah Khan and Imran Ali caused severe damage to Karachi's top-order, reducing them to 49 for 5. Imran finished with 4 for 48 while Samiullah took 3 for 26. Karachi got past 100 only because of Adnan Baig's 50 off 71 balls. SGNPL captain and opener Mohammad Hafeez ensured his team stayed on top by scoring an unbeaten 74 and finished on 134 for 2.

A 152-run stand between Aamer Sajjad and Ali Azmat revived Water and Power Development Authority from a top-order wobble against Sui Southern Gas Corporation in Muridke . Rajesh Ramesh struck thrice to help reduce WAPDA to 77 for 4 before the pair came together. Sajjad scored 86 off 197 balls, while Azmat made 102 off 180 but both were dismissed towards the end of the day, leaving WAPDA on 259 for 6.

No play was possible on the first day between Habib Bank and Khan Research Laboratories in Rawalpindi.

Lahore Ravi held the edge over Multan on the first day in Lahore, restricting them to 234 for 7. Left-arm spinner Sohail Ahmed ran through the middle-order with 4 for 25, ensuring that Multan didn't have any partnerships of note. However, Multan still have their top-scorer, Navd Yashin, unbeaten on 83 at the crease.

Bad weather washed out play on the first day in the matches between Faisalabad and Abbottabad in Sargodha, Peshawar and Sialkot in Peshawar, Islamabad and Karachi Blues at the Diamond Club Ground in Islamabad, and Rawalpindi and Quetta in Islamabad.