LAHORE, March 11: Imran Farhat showed glimpses of his old form on Friday when he inspired Habib Bank to 288 for eight in their first innings against PTCL on the first day of the Patron’s Trophy semifinal at the Qadhafi Stadium.
Imran, the left-handed opener now out of favour with the national selectors, made a solid 67 with 10 boundaries after PTCL captain Aamir Bashir decided to field first.
Normally, a flamboyant player, Imran was circumspect and did not offer a chance throughout his 147-minute stay during which he negotiated 101 deliveries. He fell to pacer Yasir Ali when he tried to flick one through the on-side, but Mohammad Fayyaz took a good, running catch.
Riffatullah Mohmand took over the role of the aggressor as he scored 29 of the 45-run opening partnership with Imran, who then added a further 86 for the second wicket with Aftab Khan.
Aftab hit eight fours in making 48 off 103 balls before being brilliantly caught by wicket-keeper Zulqarnain Haider diving low to his left.
Hasan Raza, the Habib Bank captain, survived a dropped chance on seven by Ashar Zaidi in the slips, but went on to score 47 off 119 balls with four hits to the fence.
Yasir trapped Hasan in front of the stumps before uprooting Sajid Shah’s middle stump with the very next delivery. Abdul Rahman barely managed to survive the hat trick ball.
Khaqan Arsal fell to Riaz Afridi for 31. But Farhan Iqbal (16) and Fahad Masood (seven) safely played out the remaining time before close of play.
Yasir was picked of the bowlers with four for 48. Riaz took three wickets for 95 runs.
Scoreboard
HABIB BANK (1st Innings):
Riffatullah c Shahzad b Yasir 29
Imran Farhat c Fayyaz b Yasir 67
Aftab Khan c Zulqarnain b Riaz 48
Hasan Raza lbw b Yasir 47
Farhan Adil b Hussain 2
Khaqan Arsal lbw b Riaz 31
Sajid Shah b Yasir 0
Abdul Rahman lbw b Riaz 15
Farhan Iqbal not out 16
Fahad Masood not out 7
EXTRAS (LB-11, W-1, NB-14) 26
TOTAL (for eight wkts, 90 overs) 288
FALL OF WKTS: 1-45, 2-131, 3-175, 4-190, 5-237, 6-237, 7-259, 8-278.
TO BAT: Shahid Nazir.
BOWLING (to-date): Waqar Ahmed 18-3-82-0 (3nb, 1w); Riaz Afridi 31-6-95-3; Yasir Ali 21-6-48-4 (1nb); Mohammad Hussain 20-3-52-1.
