24 September 2004	Friday	08 Shaban 1425

LAHORE, Sept 23: Former Test batsman Misbahul Haq continued to punish visiting Zimbabwe on Thursday with a hard-hitting century for the PCB Patron's XI on the opening day of the four-day tour match at the Qadhafi Stadium.

Misbah hit 12 boundaries and seven towering sixes to score 130 and lead the Patron's XI to a mammoth 353-5 in the 83 overs before bad light ended Zimbabwe's miseries.

Misbah, who has played five Tests and 11 One-day Internationals, used the play to stake a claim to regain his place in the national team which is set to begin a one-day tournament against Zimbabwe and Sri Lanka next week.

The batsman took full advantage of Zimbabwe captain Tatenda Taibu's decision to field first after winning the toss as the touring bowlers once again found wickets hard to come by.

Misbah was assisted by Bazid Khan, son of former Pakistan captain Majid Khan, who hit 94 with 16 boundaries and Naumanullah who made 56 with 12 hits to the ropes. Zimbabwe drew the first side game on Tuesday against the PCB Chairman's XI in which left-handed opener Asher Zaidi hit an unbeaten 202 for the hosts. Zimbabwe takes on Pakistan in the first match of the tri-series at Multan on Sept 30.

SCOREBOARD

PCB PATRON'S XI (1st Innings):

Faisal Athar c and b Rainsford 12

Bazid Khan c Taibu b Mupariwa 94

Naumanullah c Maregwede b Sibanda 6

Misbahul Haq c Rainsford b Cremer 130

Aamir Bashir not out 25

Adnan Akmal lbw b Matsikenyeri 13

Yasir Arafat not out 14

EXTRAS (LB-5, NB-4) 9

TOTAL (for five wkts, 83 overs) 353

FALL OF WKTS: 1-23, 2-112, 3-244, 4-313, 5-334.

BOWLING (to-date): Panyangara 14-0-50-0l Rainsford 14-3-48-1; Mupariwa 13-2-58-1; Sibanda 11-3-51-1; Cremer 13-2-71-1; Matsikenyeri 18-0-70-1. -Agencies