Karachi Whites on course to an easy victory

Karachi, Oct 30: Brilliant batting by Hasan Raza and Atiq-uz-Zaman put Karachi Whites on course for a remarkable victory against Faisalabad after 14 wickets crashed on another dramatic day at the UBL Sports Complex here on Monday.

Karachi Whites, who lead the Quaid-i-Azam Trophy National Grade-I Cricket Championship, made a sensational recovery on the second day of the four-day encounter on an unreliable pitch where batting has become a daunting proposition.

Faisalabad, who were sitting pretty after reducing Karachi Whites to 65 for five on Sunday, are in dire straits themselves at 102 for nine in their second innings for an overall lead of only 49 runs.

Hasan and Atiq counterattacked magnificently in a rapid sixth-wicket partnership that produced 132 runs in just 95 minutes to wrest the initiative from the visitors. The first session yielded 144 runs for the loss of two wickets.

Hasan showed great maturity to play perhaps, the best innings of his brief first-class career. On a treacherous pitch, the 18-year-old Test reject never allowed the bowlers to dictate terms by smashing a marvellous 94 off 102 balls in 123 minutes. He cut, drove and pulled with gusto to spank 12 fours. Hasan also stroked two sixes - off successive balls - off left-arm spinner Farooq Ahmed late on Sunday.

Farooq, it was, who terminated Hasan's onslaught by holding a stunning return catch in front of his face to a full-bloodied drive.

Atiq also batted attractively to make a well-compiled 54 off 87 balls in 104 minutes with six hits to the ropes. All-rounder Kashif Ibrahim contributed an invaluable 34 that was laced with four boundaries.

Off-spinner Aqeel Ahmed suffered most as he went for 93 runs in 17 overs against the rampant Karachi batsmen, who added 200 runs in 45.5 overs on the second day. He finished with five for 116 in 24 overs.

Faisalabad needed a decent start to their second innings but lost skipper Mohammad Ramzan in the third over for one. Tea was taken at the fall of Ijaz Ahmed Junior's scalp, bowled behind his legs by the tall leg-spinner Danish Kaneria.

The final session was almost a replica of Sunday. All of a sudden the pitch began to play tricks with the ball turning and bouncing awkwardly from good length spots. Both Kaneria and off-spinner Tahir Khan were virtually unplayable.

Kaneria had Fida Hussain and Mohammad Nawaz smartly caught at the wicket by Atiq-uz-Zaman. Mohammad Salman, who was out first ball in the first innings, lasted just six balls to complete a pair.

Tahir chipped in with the wickets of Wasim Haider, Farooq Iqbal and Shahid Nazir as Faisalabad lost six wickets for 23 runs in 58 deliveries.

Saadat Gul was almost a hapless spectator at the other end. The Faisalabad all-rounder played a gutsy knock to remain undefeated on 33 off 110 balls. His 128-minute stay includes five fours.