KARACHI, Dec 10: Test reject Imran Farhat blasted an unbeaten hundred as Habib Bank posted a healthy 285 for two on the opening day of their four-day Patron’s Trophy Grade-I Championship match against PIA at UBL Sports Complex on Saturday.
The left-handed opener was batting on 142 while skipper Hasan Raza finished 47 not out at draw of stumps.
The third-wicket pair had so far put on 137.
PIA stand-in captain Faisal Iqbal won the toss and elected to field first on a greenish looking strip.
But Faisal’s decision backfired as Imran and Taufiq Umar, gave the bankers a great start by adding 144 before the latter was caught behind by Ahmed Zeeshan Malik off paceman Umar Gul.
Taufiq, like Imran another Test discard, stroked nine fours.
The bankers lost the wicket of Rafatullah Mohmand, who was caught by Asif Mujtaba off leg-spinner Imran Tahir for three.
Scoreboard
HABIB BANK (1st Innings):
Imran Farhat not out 142
Taufiq Umar c A. Zeeshan b Umar 63
Rafatullah Mohmand c Asif b Imran 3
Hasan Raza not out 47
EXTRAS (B-10, LB-10, NB-10) 30
TOTAL (for two wkts, 83 overs) 285
FALL OF WKTS: 1-144, 2-148
BOWLING (to-date): Fazle Akbar 14-2-50-0; Umar Gul 16-3-58-1; Najaf Shah 17-1-43-0; Imran Tahir 25-3-86-1; Asif Mujtaba 5-0-10-0; Kamran Sajid 6-0-12-0.