Saeed and Hasan in punishing mood

Saeed bin Nasir and Hasan Raza stole the limelight as Karachi Whites batsmen put Sargodha bowlers to the sword on the second day of the Quaid-i-Azam Trophy Grade-I clash at KCCA Stadium here Tuesday.

Saeed, one of the brightest kids on the block, churned out a brilliant century, his third of the season, while Hasan Raza fell 10 short of his 15th career hundred during the third-wicket partnership of 180 in 166 minutes that helped their side reach 363 for six in reply to Sargodha's 169.

Saeed and Hasan came together after stand-in skipper Ghulam Ali fell to a fine rebound catch by Misbah-ul-Haq at slip at his overnight score of 20 off the final ball of the day's first over.

Saeed, who resumed at 35 in Whites' 69 for one, completed his fourth century in a first-class career that began in 1997-98 shortly after lunch in 204 minutes off 158 deliveries with eight fours. On the way he reached 1,000 runs for the season with his 65th run. However, he was beaten to the magical figure by Hasan, who needed only 20 at the start of his innings. Of the two, Hasan, who became the youngest Test player on his debut at 14 years and 27 days four seasons ago, was the more aggressive.

After striking four fours and a brace of sixes in his 138-ball knock, Hasan was bowled through the gate by a ball that kept low.

Saeed was finally out for a career-best 133 when he flicked lazily medium-pacer Umair Hussain down square-leg's throat. The 22-year-old slim right-hander in faced 213 balls while staying at the crease for four hours and 27 minutes.

Faisal Iqbal, the Test right-hander, was understandably circumspect in his first game at this level for a while. He made a watchful 33 in exactly two hours before falling to a catch in the covers.