Wasim reminds selectors with timely century

Mohammad Wasim, who has been out of Test reckoning, reminded the national selectors with a timely century as Rawalpindi drew their Quaid-i-Azam Trophy National Grade-I Cricket Championship match against Karachi Blues at the UBL Sports Complex here on Wednesday.

The 23-year-old right-hander made a blazing 110 off 102 deliveries in two hours and 40 minutes on the final day of the four-day match to help Rawalpindi rattle up 397 in their second innings for a massive lead of 524 runs.

Karachi Blues, who have been relegated into Grade-II next season, batted out the remaining time to finish on 56 for two in their second turn. By and large, it was a disastrous season for the 1997-98 champions who had a solitary win against six defeats in the 12-team competition.

The local side never stood a chance of pulling off a sensational win on the last day after conceding a first innings lead of 127. Not surprisingly, Rawalpindi continued their second innings merrily from overnight 89 for three to score at more than five an over.

Shahid Javed (32) and Tasawwar Hussain (10), the overnight pair, perished in quick successions to allow Mohammad Wasim and Yasir Arafat share a rapid sixth wicket partnership of 157 in 101 minutes.

Wasim, who registered his third hundred of the season off just 85 balls in 136 minutes, was severe on spinner Salman Fazal as he thrice lifted him for sixes, including two in one over. Wasim also stroked 12 boundaries.

Yasir Arafat, the all-rounder who has taken 50 wickets this season, lashed 10 fours in his 69 off 88 balls.

To add insult to injury, Wasim Ahmed, a diminutive left-handed bowling all-rounder playing his first game in almost a year, thrashed 82 off 112 deliveries with the aid of seven fours and a six.

Salman Fazal conceded 100 runs in his last 17 overs after his figures read three for 26 in the first 15. In contrast, Zafar Jadoon, who seldom bowls, claimed a career-best four for 34 with his leg-spinners.