January 25, 2003	Saturday	Ziqa’ad 21, 1423

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KARACHI, Jan 24: As expected, National Bank of Pakistan (NBP) wasted little time in demolishing the luckless Habib Bank Limited (HBL) by a convincing margin of an innings and 57 runs early on the third morning of the Quaid-i-Azam Trophy pre-quarterfinal tie at National Stadium on Friday.

The weakened HBL, who were reeling at 135 for eight in their second innings at start of the day, were bundled out for 172. The final two wickets occupied the crease for 37 minutes on the penultimate day of the match.

Abdul Rehman, 31 overnight, completed a fighting half-century before he was last man out for 54, bowled by left-arm paceman Zahid Saeed.

Gangling fast bowler Shabbir Ahmed had earlier sent back HBL skipper Akram Raza to complete a five-wicket haul in the innings. He conceded just 43 runs in 15 overs.

NBP’s quarterfinal opponents are certain to be KRL, who were in a commanding position against Allied Bank on Friday evening.

Scoreboard

NATIONAL BANK (1st Innings) 338 (Hanif-ur-Rehman 81, Imran Javed 66).

HABIB BANK (1st Innings) 109 (Zahid Saeed 5-41).

HABIB BANK (2nd Innings, overnight 135-8):

Khaqan Arsal c Shabbir b I. Javed 36

Asadullah Butt c Nauman b Shabbir 0

Hasan Raza b Shabbir 4

Riffatullah c Kamran b Shabbir 7

Mujahid Jamshed c Nauman b I. Javed 14

Abdul Rehman b Zahid 54

Tahir Rasheed c Kamran b Shabbir 5

Sajid Shah lbw b M. Javed 9

Irfan Fazil c Shahid b M. Javed 9

Akram Raza c Sajid b Shabbir 9

Shahid Nazir not out 7

EXTRAS (B-1, LB-4, W-5, NB-8) 18

TOTAL (all out, 39.5 overs) 172

FALL OF WKTS: 1-3, 2-7, 3-23, 4-38, 5-87, 6-102, 7-119, 8-129, 9-146.

BOWLING: Shabbir Ahmed 15-2-43-5 (3nb, 5w); Zahid Saeed 9.5-0-58-1 (4nb); Imran Javed 8-1-35-2 (1nb); Mohammad Javed 3-0-6-2; Qaiser Abbas 2-0-12-0; Imran Nazir 2-0-13-0.

RESULT: National Bank won by an innings and 57 runs.

UMPIRES: Salim Badar and Athar Zaidi.

MATCH REFEREE: Athar Zaidi.