Pak Local: Rain-hit KRL-Pindi tie drawn

Islamabad, Jan 18: Half centuries by all rounders Irfan Bhatti (61) and Khawar Ali (57) helped Rawalpindi secure first points in the Quaid-i-Azam Trophy Tournament with a 119 runs fifth wicket stand against Khan Research Laboratories (KRL) as the match ended in a draw here on the last day of rain-hit tie at KRL stadium on Tuesday.

Rawalpindi's debutante medium pacers Mohammad Ghufran and Ghulam Shabbir did well to wrap up KRL's first innings at 204 all out by picking five wickets in under one hour play on the last day when play started half an hour late due to bad light. The hosts thus added 53 runs in 13 overs having resumed their first innings at 151 for 4.

In reply, Rawalpindi had lost top three batsmen at the total of 69, before wicket-keeper batsman Mohammad Zubair and Irfan Bhatti carried the score to 96 when the former was clean bowled by off spinner Azeem Mansoor.

However, KRL's hopes of bowling out the division within their first innings score were dashed when all rounders Irfan Bhatti and left-handed Khawar Ali shared a blistering 119 runs partnership in just 69 minutes. They took the total from 96 to 215 surpassed KRL's first innings total in the process. This also allowed Rawalpindi attain their first points in the on-going Quaid-i-Azam Trophy contest having slided to five defeats earlier to sit at the bottom of pool-B point table.

Irfan hit seven fours and a six for his 88-ball 61 whereas Khawar struck nine boundaries during his innings of 57 (82 balls).

Soon after surpassing the KRL total, Rawalpindi lost its next six wickets with the addition of mere 24 runs. Leg spinner Naeem Rao picked up 4 for 48, Naseer Ahmed grabbed 2 for 12.

For KRL their jinx of bad performances at home ground continued, they have lost two QA games here. Only one day and two sessions of game was possible in this match following incessant rain. Rawalpindi had four debutantes in their line-up while KRL also introduced a new player in the form of their former manager Rashid Ali.