Flawless century by Rashid for Islamabad

An error-free century by Rashid Amin Butt spurred Islamabad past Lahore Blues as the home side took a vital first innings lead of 64 runs on the second day of the Quaid Trophy match at the KRL Stadium Monday.

After Islamabad resumed their first innings at the overnight score of 58 for one, their batsmen did well in scoring 305, a total in which Rashid contributed 101.

Lahore Blues in their second innings were 43 without loss, Sohail Idrees and Imran Farhat batting confidently in the nine overs they faced before the close.

The talented Rashid gave Islamabad a lot to cheer about as he hit 10 boundaries and two sixes in his 173-ball knock that lasted 232 minutes. He seemed in ruthless mood and freely hit the Lahore attack to all parts of the ground.

Apart from Rashid, opener Ali Naqvi who was not out 28 Sunday, knocked off 40 runs from 65 balls while at the tail-end Rao Iftikhar chipped in with 37 to fire Islamabad to a formidable total.

Irfan Fazil picked up four for 55 for Lahore while slow left-armer Mohammad Hussain had two, including the prized scalp of Rashid, whom he trapped leg before.