Saad Wasim's century gives PWD lead

A captain's knock of 132 by Saad Wasim enabled Pakistan Public Works Department (PWD) take a surprise first innings lead over KRL on the third day of the Patron's Trophy Grade-I game at Jinnah Stadium in Sialkot Friday.

According to details available here, PWD had advanced their score from the overnight 207 for three to a massive 544 for eight in reply to KRL's 457. Saad Wasim, who faced 218 balls during his stay of 320 minutes, and Bazid Khan (88 off 150 balls in 217 minutes) dominated the first part of the day as they carried their overnight fourth wicket partnership of 34 to 180 and completely nullified Test fast bowler Shoaib Akhtar.

Iqbal Imam, the experienced left-hander, played a fine innings to finish the day on an unbeaten 83 off 162 deliveries in 209 minutes. Left-arm medium-pacer Ali Raza, who also bats left-handed, used the long handle to great effect in smashing 46 off 49 balls while putting 81 in just 58 minutes with Iqbal Imam. Yasir Arafat, the all-rounder who bowls medium-pacers, toiled manfully to claim six for 152 in 31 overs. Shoaib Akhtar's only success of the innings was at the fag end of the day when he had Ali Raza caught behind.