KARACHI, Feb 22: PIA squandered the advantage of an excellent start to their first innings to close the opening day of their Patron's Trophy Pool 'A' fixture against PTCL at 286 for seven on Tuesday.

After Yasir Hameed and Kamran Sajid had launched the innings with a breathtaking opening partnership of 106 in 96 minutes, PIA went to tea at a commanding 186 for two. But after the interval, PTCL fought back by picking up five wickets for 71 runs on a National Stadium pitch full of runs.

Yasir, the India-bound tourist, looked in sublime touch as he unleashed 14 boundaries in a sparkling 70 off just 81 deliveries before falling to the ex-Test slow left-armer Mohammad Hussain.

Kamran, the in-form young opening batsman, was more circumspect as he completed his third half-century in as many innings. The left-hander was trapped in front of the stumps by left-arm pace man Mohammad Khalil for a watchful 70. His 171-ball knock included six fours in a stay of 226 minutes.

Shoaib Khan, who also fell to Khalil, hammered six boundaries in hitting 45 off 118 balls. Faisal Iqbal (21) and skipper Moin Khan (29) were the only other batsmen to offer some sort of stability to the PIA innings.

PIA's hopes of crossing 300 now rest with Imran Tahir (23) and Najaf Shah (12) who have so far put on 20 for the unbroken eighth-wicket. For PTCL, opening bowlers Khalil and Riaz Afridi bagged two wickets each as did Hussain who bowled tidily.

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