Wickets tumble in Quaid Trophy tie

Islamabad, Dec 22: Four wickets in a space of 12 runs saw Pakistan Reserves wobbled to 66 for four in their first innings after Rawalpindi had been bowled out for 200 on the opening day of the Quaid-i-Azam Trophy match at the Rawalpindi Cricket Stadium on Wednesday.

Skipper Humayun Farhat (5) and Taufiq Umer (12) were at the crease when play was stopped six overs before stumps because of bad light.

In fact, Pakistan Reserves made a solid start as openers Qaiser Abbas and Imran Farhat contributed 46 runs. However, after seeing off the seasoned Rawalpindi pacers Irfan Bhatti and Azhar Bhatti, both fell to young all-rounder Yasir Ashfaq in his second over. Yasir was on a hat trick having removed Qaiser (23) caught at first slip and Imran (18) caught at mid off.

Bazid Khan, however, prevented the hat trick but then survived a loud shout for LBW in the same over. He was run out for one shortly afterwards.

Rawalpindi struck another blow when left-arm pacer Azhar Bhatti trapped Asif Mahmood plumb in front for two with the total on 56.

Earlier, Pool 'B' leaders Pakistan Reserves appeared complacent having restricted hosts Rawalpindi to 61 for six at one stage. The last four Rawalpindi batsman combined together to add 139 runs to bring respectability to their team.

Veteran Mohammad Saleem, playing his first match of theseason, led the fight back with a defiant unbeaten 71 off 129 balls with the help of ten fours. Saleem and Azhar Bhatti (18) added 49 precious runs for the ninth wicket. Yasir chipped in with 28 from 20 balls with six boundaries. Pacer Zahid Saeed claimed five for 44 while Kashif Raza grabbed four for 52.