Shehzad gives SNGPL first-innings lead

An allround bowling performance coupled with an unbeaten century stand between captain Khurram Shehzad and Ali Waqas gave Sui Northern Gas Pipelines Limited (SNGPL) control of their game against United Bank Limited (UBL) at the Jinnah Stadium in Sialkot. Asad Ali and Bilawal Bhatti took three wickets each as UBL capitulated for 127, with Saad Sukhail the only batsmen to pass 20. SNGP struggled early, stumbling to 63 for 4, before Shehzad and Waqas began to dominate proceedings. Shehzad counter-attacked in brutal fashion, racing to 84 from 75 balls and smashing 17 fours. Waqas was more restrained, needing 68 balls to get to 45, as the pair took their team to 189 for 4, already a lead of 62.

Behram Khan and Mohammad Hasan made unbeaten hundreds to take Karachi Whites to a position of strength against Lahore Shalimar at the National Bank of Pakistan Sports Complex in Karachi. The pair were a study in contrasts, with Behram inching his way to 105 from 253 balls, having batted for six hours and 31 minutes. Hasan was much more fluid, stroking 16 fours in his 122, having faced 170 deliveries. Together they added 201, taking Karachi to 287 after they had stuttered to 86 for 4.

Khan Research Laboratories (KBL) held the upper hand over Lahore Ravi at the Lahore City Cricket Association Ground, after bowling Lahore out for 180. Yasir Ali was the destroyer-in-chief, taking 4 for 40, with the other wickets shared among four bowlers. Mohammad Irfan and Asif Ashfaq made 41 each, adding 59 for the sixth wicket after Lahore had slipped to 62 for 5. only two other batsmen went past 20, with six scores in single figures. The KRL openers negotiated the 12.2 overs they had to face while adding 38 to leave themselves in a good position going into the second day.

Lal Kumar's third first-class hundred helped lift Hyderbad to 251 for 3 against Multan at the Bahawal Stadium in Bahawalpur. Multan chose to field and the decison appeared to pay off when Bilal Irshad was caught behind for 1. After a steady partnership of 44 between Jamshed Baig and Taj Wasan, Multan struck twice in quick succession to bring Kumar and Rizwan Ahmed to the crease. The pair proceeded to add 194 for the fourth wicket, to give their side the better of the day's play, and will reusme tomorrow with Ahmed on 77 and Kumar on 105.

Israrullah starred with the bat but honour's were shared between Peshawar and Quetta at the Arbab Niaz Stadium in Peshawar. The opener was unlucky to miss out on his hundred, smashing 98 from 110 balls, with 14 fours. He received little support from the rest of the top order though, and it was left to No.7 Mohammad Rizwan, who made 45, to take them past 200. A late cameo by Sajjad Ahmed, who made 23 from 24 balls, lifted Peshawar to 239. 20-year-old legspinner, Shahzaib Ahmed, took 4 for 54 to lead the Quetta bowlers. However, Riaz Afridi struck twice to leave Quetta 26 for 2 at the close.