RAWALPINDI, Feb 13: Rawalpindi’s Naveed Ashraf was only himself to blame as he missed what was a perfect opportunity for him to score a century in the Quaid Trophy Grade-I match against Lahore Whites Wednesday at Rawalpindi Stadium.
Just when he looked set to reach the three figure mark, he played one reckless shot and was caught and bowled by off-spinner Muhammad Asif for 95 as Rawalpindi finished the second day at 258 for seven replying to Lahore’s 373.
Lahore Whites had resumed their first innings at the overnight score of 315 for eight and added some quick runs through Mohammad Asif who hit an unbeaten 42 and Wasim Khan chipping in with 23.
Paceman Yasir Arafat picked up one to add to his overnight three while Naeem Akhtar took the other wicket dismissing Wasim Khan.
Rawalpindi made a poor start and lost opener Arif Butt and Shahid Javed with just one run on the board. But then Babar Naeem, playing responsibly, scored a patient 96-ball 42 to put things in order somewhat.
Naveed along with Shiraz Khalid, who stroked a half century, put on 136 runs for the fifth wicket to make up for the early Rawalpindi hiccups.
However, two quick blows late in the day by off-spinner Tariq Mahmood who sent back Shiraz and then Yasir Arafat left Rawalpindi needing another 115 runs to match Lahore’s first innings score.
Scoreboard
LAHORE WHITES (Ist Innings, overnight 315-8):
Kamran Sajid lbw b Zahid 2
Kashif Siddique b Shiraz 74
Rizwan Aslam c Arif b Naveed 74
Faisal Mahmood c Naveed b Zahid 0
Kamran Akmal c Nadeem b Yasir 30
Tariq Rashid b Yasir 0
Tariq Mahmood b Yasir 0
Adnan Usman c Naseer b Yasir 74
Rizwan Arshad c Naseer b Babar 22
Mohammad Asif not out 42
Wasim Khan b Naeem Akhtar 23
EXTRAS (B-1, LB-17, W-1, NB-13) 32
TOTAL (all out, 96.3 overs) 373
FALL OF WKTS: 1-17, 2-122, 3-123, 4-173, 5-173, 6-173, 7-216, 8-288, 9-326.