The News

Usman and Rafatullah smash hundreds

A round-up of the first day's play of the fourth round matches in the Patrons Trophy

24-Nov-2006
Usman Arshad smashed a classy hundred to give Pakistan Customs a healthy start on the first day of their four-day, fourth-round, Patron's Trophy match against defending champions National Bank of Pakistan (NBP), here at the NBP Sports Complex Stadium.
Usman showed great potential and promise and hit 16 fours in his 101 off 203 balls as Customs mustered 237 for 7 after being asked to bat. Showing belligerence, Usman was particularly severe on Mohammad Sami, whom he struck for seven fours. Paceman Wasim Khan was the pick of the NBP bowlers taking 5 for 82 runs in 27 overs. He took his wickets quickly as six Pakistan Customs wickets fell with only 83 runs added to a total of 137 for 1.
Sami, who was included in the Pakistan team for the third Test match against the West Indies, finished with unflattering figures of 1 for 79 in 26 overs with 13 no-balls.
Usman, who is the son of a prolific batsman of the past Arshad Pervez, had also made a ton against the Attock Group last week. He shared a 101-run second-wicket stand with opener Rashid Ali, who contributed 49 off 117 balls with four boundaries.
Rafatullah Mohmand hit an exquisite hundred and lifted Habib Bank Ltd (HBL) to 269 for 4, on day against Attock Group at the United Bank Limited (UBL) Sports Complex Ground.
Rafatullah batted stylishly for his 125. He managed eight boundaries in his 252-ball innings before being trapped lbw by left-arm paceman Saad Altaf. He shared a 121-run stand for the second wicket with Taufeeq Umar after Habib Bank lost captain Shahid Afridi for 5 having been put into bat. Taufeeq hit seven boundaries in his 57.
Later, Rafatullah added 115 runs in 110 minutes with Hasan Raza, who remained unbeaten with 58 at the close, laced with three fours and a brace of sixes. Aftab Khan was unbeaten on 1 at stumps. Saad bowled superbly for his 3 for 69 runs in 22 overs with three maidens.