Fine half-centuries by Shahid, Saeed

Saeed bin Nasir and Shahid Afridi hit impressive halfcenturies as Karachi Whites consolidated their grip over Karachi Blues in the Quaid-i-Azam Trophy Grade-I cricket match at KCCA Stadium here Friday.

After taking a first innings of 33, the Whites closed the penultimate day of the four-day clash on 212 for two in their second knock.

Saeed, who was tragically run out for 68 in the first innings, was batting with a fluent 73 off 115 balls in the unbroken third wicket stand of 86 with Test reject Hasan Raza (36). Saeed has so far hit six fours and one six.

Shahid Afridi, the Pakistan all-rounder, struck a typically swashbuckling 60 off 59 balls while dominating the opening partnership of 80 with Ghulam Ali (37). He hit eight fours and a brace of sixes, the second clearing the ground by a long way.

Earlier, the Blues skipper Mohammad Javed was left stranded on 79 as his side managed 218 after resuming at 167 for seven. Javed's 171-ball innings contained four boundaries.

Pacer Tanvir Ahmed took two more wickets Friday to finish with five for 64 in 25 overs.

International umpire Afzaal Ahmed was unable to take his place Friday because of a back strain and was replaced by Khalid Mahmood.