Ghulam, Sohail in record stand

A record unbroken opening stand between Ghulam Ali and Sohail Jaffar paved the way for a comprehensive 52-run victory for Pakistan International Airlines (PIA) against Agricultural Development Bank of Pakistan (ADBP) in the one-day cricket tournament match at Jinnah Stadium in Sialkot.

Ghulam Ali scored a punishing 155 and Sohail Jaffar slapped 153 as the two helped PIA muster a colossal 326 for no loss in the allotted 50 overs.

ADBP, in their turn, made a gallant effort but could reach only 274 for nine.

Ghulam Ali, who has played one-day internationals for Pakistan, faced 159 deliveries out of which 21 were converted into boundaries and two sixes.

Sohail Jaffar, who was unfortunate to miss international cricket despite being the top scorer a few seasons back, hammered 17 boundaries in his 149-ball knock.

The PA openers collected 180 runs in the second half of the innings after the first 25 overs had yielded 146 runs.

The bankers tried eight bowlers but neither they could earn any success nor managed to stop the flow of runs from the willows of the two openers.

When ADBP batted, PIA paceman Fazle Akbar captured five wickets for 63 runs while left-arm duo of Asif Mujtaba and Nadeem Khan equally shared four wickets between them conceding 66 runs from their 20 overs.

For ADBP, Nadeem Hussain was the top scorer with a 72-ball 71 that included four boundaries and three sixes. Ghaffar Kazmi hit a 44-ball 50 with eight hits to the fence.