October 29, 2001	Monday	Shaba'an 11, 1422

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KARACHI, Oct 28: Opener Agha Sabir missed a double century by mere four runs as Pakistan Customs, the reigning champions, strengthened their position against PIA on the second day of the Patron’s Trophy Grade-I match at UBL Sports Complex here Sunday.

PIA made a jittery start to their first innings by crumbling to 66 for three in reply to Customs’ massive score of 461.

However, old guard Asif Mujtaba (26) and young Faisal Iqbal (12) saw off the remaining 17 overs as PIA closed on 102 for three, still needing 210 to avert the follow-on.

Off-spinner Tabish Nawab dismissed Ghulam Ali (40 off 50 balls, six fours and one six) and Sohail Jaffar (12) in identical fashion, catching them both off his own bowling.

Left-arm medium-pacer Waqar Ahmed ended Shoaib Mohammad’s comeback to first-class action after a lengthy layoff by having the former Test opener caught at the wicket.

Earlier, Customs continued their domination of PIA’s bowling as they accumulated a further 169 runs to the overnight 292 for four.

Agha Sabir added 21 to his Saturday’s 175 before his marathon vigil in the middle was terminated by speedster Fazle Akbar. The young left-hander, who batted 13 minutes short of seven hours, fell LBW for 196. His innings was spiced with 21 fours and as many as six sixes.

All-rounder Tariq Haroon stroked five fours and one six in his 41 off 80 balls. He received good support from Wasim Yousufi (21), Waqar Ahmed (30, five fours) and Fahim Ahmed Junior (23).

Off-spinner Irfanuddin captured three of the six wickets Sunday while Fazle Akbar took two. Nadeem Khan, the ex-Test slow left-armer, was unable to add to his Saturday’s haul and eventually ended with four for 146 in 51 overs.