Quaid-i-Azam Trophy: ABL-ADBP tie ends in a thrilling draw

Lahore, Nov 9: Allied Bank Limited (ABL), looked at the verge of defeat manager to get a thrilling drw against Agriculture Development Bank of Pakistan (ADBP) in the Quaid-i-Azam Cricket Trophy match, here on the fourth and last day at the Gaddafi Stadium on Tuesday.

The ABL, however, earned three points for their first innings lead of 216.

The ADBP batted with authority in their second innings and scored 329 after resuming at 95 for three and set a winning target of 114 for ABL in the 15 mandatory overs. The ABL had a disasterous start losing five for 45 and had lost eight wickets for paltry total 71 before the 15 overs were completed. Fielding at cover, Inam-ul-Haq played vital role in triggering a batting collapse by getting three run outs.

First, he had Test opener and ABL captain Aamir Sohail run out on the very first ball of the innings. Agile Inam also got other opener Mohammad Nawaz (18) and Aamir Hanif (1) run out paceman Fahim Fazal removed Test discard Ijaz Ahmad Junior lbw for 15 and later Masroor Husain who was caught by Nadeem Husain for two to put ABL in deep trouble with total of five for 45.

ADBP's pacemen Fahim Fazal and Tahir Mahmood bowled with tidy length and kept pressure on the ABL till last reducing them to 71 for eight.

Had Imran Abbas not miss a two-hand Rashid Latif's catch at first slip off Tahir Mahmood with three mandatory overs still remaining with the total being 71 for seven, the ADBP would have been in winning position.

When Rashid Latif was finally clean bowled by Tahir Mahmood for 15 at the total of 71, only three deliveries were to be bowled and Test cricketer Arshad Khan faced all with authority to save his team from a possible defeat.

Faheem Fazal took three wickets for 27 while Tahir Mahmood finished with two for 38.

Earlier, Imran Abbas who resumed ADBP's innings with individual score of 27 hit splendid 101 and that forced ABL to bat for the second time. He slammed eight fours during 363 minutes stay at the crease. Atif Rauf contributed a breezy 52-ball 59 studded with 10 boundaries and one six. Imranand Atif, together, plundered precious 103 in 91 minutes for the fifth wicket stand. Imran Abbas with Mansoor Khan (38, four boundaries) also added useful 82 runs in the fourth wicket collaboration.

Off-spinner Arshad Khan was the main bowler taking five wickets for 83. Paceman Aamir Nazir finished with 3 for 121.