Rawalpindi throw away advantage

Rawalpindi were off to a dream start in their National Junior (Under-19) Grade-I Cricket Championship match against Lahore Whites Monday but the hosts ended the day in virtual disaster.

After doing a splendid job of dismissing their rivals for just 88 in 45.2 overs at Pindi Cricket Stadium, Rawalpindi were tottering at 83 for seven off 35.3 overs at the close of first day's play.

But Rawalpindi were only themselves to blame as most of their batsmen fell to reckless shots as Lahore bounced back with Imran Siddiqui snapping up three for 31 and Asif Ijaz claiming two for 23. Waqas Zafar was unbeaten on 38 when play ended for the day.

Earlier Najaf Shah and Saad Altaf demolished the Lahore batting after they had been put in to bat and both kept troubling the batsmen.

Najaf took the lion's share of wickets, snatching five for 38 while Saad had four for 31.

Meanwhile at Shalimar Ground in Islamabad, the home side put on 209 for nine off their 80 overs against Fata who replied with 58 for one in 14.5 overs.

Danish Hanif was the top run-getter for Islamabad, scoring a slow 56 that came off 124 balls while Shahryar Butt chipped in with 35 not out. Usman Nabi also contributed 35 runs.

Fata captain Riaz Afridi bowled to an accurate line and length to finish with five for 68 with Yasir Shah taking two for which he gave away 48 runs.

Islamabad skipper Mohammad Altaf took the only Fata wicket to fall, that of Sajid Afridi for 29, without conceding a run.

Our Sports Correspondent adds from Lahore: Javed Hussain scored 93 to help Sheikhupura make 265 in their first innings againstKarachi Blues at Sheikhupura Stadium.

Leg-spinner Mohammad Ali Zafar claimed five for 83.

At stumps, Karachi Blues were 102 for two in 33 overs withKhurram Manzoor scoring 61.

Off-spinner Aftab Ahmed captured seven for 61 as KarachiWhites bundled out Bahawalpur for 169 at Bahawalpur Stadium.

By close of play, Karachi Whites were 57 for one.