LAHORE, Oct 15: Fine batting by opener Ghulam Ali and Faisal Iqbal helped PIA pile up 306 for five in their first innings against Sui Gas on the first day of the Patron’s Trophy Grade-I encounter at LCCA Ground Monday.
Put into bat, PIA ended the day in a healthy position with Mahmood Hamid (57) and wicket-kepeer Ahmed Zeeshan (9) at the crease.
With captain Moin Khan absent for personal reasons, PIA suffered an early shock when Sohail Jaffar was brilliantly caught by wicket-keeper Ali Raza off Azhar Abbas without any runs on the board.
Ghulam Ali was then joined by Yasir Hameed (35) in a second wicket stand of 94 in 118 minutes. After Yasir’s departure, Ghulam Ali found another reliable ally in Test batsman Faisal Iqbal.
The pair added 92 in only 78 minutes before Ghulam Ali tried to lift leg-spinner Asad Iqbal over mid-wicket but caught by Asim Munir. Ghulam Ali, who faced 156 deliveries, adorned his knock with 12 well-timed hits to the fence and one six during a stay of 204 minutes.
Faisal shared in another useful partnership with Mahmood Hamid, adding 57 for the fourth wicket until he was caught by Imran Tahir off paceman Azhar Abbas for a 134-ball 81 in 118 minutes.
Faisal, a surprise omission from Pakistan squad from Sharjah Cup, struck 12 fours.
Mahmood’s 57 off 119 balls includes seven boundaries.
Leg-spinner Imran Tahir and Azhar Abbas picked up two wickets, each for 60 and 67 runs, respectively.