Quaid-i-Azam Trophy: KRL begin well against Islamabad

Islamabad, Nov 20: An 84 runs fourth wicket stand between skipper Naseer Ahmed (81 off 132) and Intikhab Alam (40 off 79) helped Khan Research Laboratories reach first innings score of 277 for 5 against Islamabad at close of first day's play in the Quaid-i-Azam Trophy match at KRL Stadium on Saturday.

Wicket-keeper Nadeem Abbasi (21) and pacer Naeem Akhtar (23) were at the crease when stumps were drawn.

Electing to bat, KRL's opening pair, Basit Niazi and Saeed Anwar Jr, added 44 runs but both were given a second chance each. Islamabad claimed the first wicket when Saeed Jr (25 off 40) was caught behind by Mohammad Shahbaz off left arm pacer Stephen John in the 13th over, while debutante spinner Qasim Hussain removed Saeed bin Nasir (11) at the total of 68 in 26th over.

Skipper Naseer opener Basit contributed 66 runs for the third wicket. The two were separated when Basit (58) was caught at mid on by Stephen off left-arm spinner Ashar Zaidi. Basit faced 126 balls, struck eight boundaries and a six in his 169 minutes stay at the crease.

Naseer and Intikhab Alam carried the score forward to 191 without further loss till tea. The KRL skipper, however, survived a chance when at 69 when Atif spilled a straight forward catch at second slip. In the last session, Stephen struck twice to remove both the well-set batsmen whose fourth wicket stand of 84 came in 94 minutes. After getting Alam (40 5x4) caught behind, Stephen had Naseer caught at short cover off Aamir Butt. Naseer's 81 came off 132 balls. Naseer hit ten boundaries and a six off spinner Aamir during his 153 minutes stay at the crease.

Left arm pacer Stephen John grabbed 3 for 73, he also accumulative all the extras of the innings by overstepping 10 times and sent one wide.