Rawalpindi let Punjab off hook

Rawalpindi after putting on a respectable 249, dropped three catches to leave Rest of Punjab at a happy 68 for no loss on the first day of their Quaid Trophy Grade-I game at the KRL Stadium.

Mohammad Wasim, Nadeem Abbasi and Pervez Aziz were the culprits giving two lives to Saeed Anwar Junior who finished the day unbeaten on 29 and Rizwan Ahmed was batting on 30.

Fresh from their victory over Islamabad last week, Rawalpindi made a cracking start after being asked to bat first. Half centuries by opener Babar Naeem and Yasir Arafat later in the order helped them to a healthy total.

Babar struck six boundaries in scoring 56 that came off 60 balls while Yasir, who also hit up as many runs, needed 97 deliveries. Also batting responsibly were Mohammad Zahid (43) and Naseer Ahmed (35).

Fast bowler Abdur Rauf and spinner Mushtaq Ahmed were the chief wicket-takers for the Rest with three each.