KARACHI, March 19: Pakistan discard Imran Farhat hammered an unbeaten century as his side, Habib Bank, continued to frustrate PIA in weather-plagued Patron’s Trophy final at the Qadhafi Stadium in Lahore on Saturday.
The depleted Habib Bank, clearly the underdogs in the five-day final, reached a creditable 246 for four in their first innings with skipper Imran batting on 110 and Asadullah Butt (23).
The match mercifully resumed at 2.30pm on the third day after an incredible delay of 856 minutes because of rain and soggy condition of the playing square and the outfield that resulted in Friday’s second day abandoned without a ball being bowled.
The bankers, who had scored 104 for two in 94 minutes of play on the opening day before heavy rains put a halt to the proceeding, found no terror in the pitch as they maintained a healthy run-rate of above four an over.
Imran (60) and Farhan Adil (16) carried their third wicket stand to 90 before Farhan was bowled by medium-pacer Aizaz Cheema for 43. The right-hander’s 34-ball cameo included seven boundaries.
Next man Khaqan Arsal was dismissed by the slow left-armer of Asif Mujtaba for 20. But Imran remained unperturbed. The left-hander struck 16 fours during his 13th first-class century in 85 matches and faced 178 deliveries.
PIA’s bowlers toiled throughout but failed to make any impression on Imran. Left-arm paceman Najaf Shah suffered most at Imran’s hands and gave way 108 runs in 18 overs.
With only two days remaining, the outcome of the match is almost certain to be decided on the first-innings lead.
Scoreboard
HABIB BANK (1st Innings, overnight 104-2 from Thursday):
Riffatullah Mohmand lbw b Fazle 0
Imran Farhat not out 110
Aftab Khan b Janisar 25
Farhan Adil b Aizaz 43
Khaqan Arsal c Mahmood b Asif 20
Asadullah Butt not out 23
EXTRAS (B-4, LB-10, W-1, NB-10) 25
TOTAL (for four wkts, 57 overs) 246
FALL OF WKTS: 1-13, 2-69, 3-159, 4-201.
TO BAT: Abdul Rahman, Farhan Iqbal, Sajid Shah, Kabir Khan, Fahad Masood.
