KARACHI, Dec 24: Test rejects Yasir Hameed and Faisal Iqbal smashed centuries to put PIA in a commanding position on the penultimate day of the four-day Patron’s Trophy Grade-I match against Khan Research Laboratories (KRL) at National Stadium on Saturday.

Yasir, the 27-year-old right-hander, blasted a brilliant 139 while the 24-year-old Faisal Iqbal hit an elegant 114 to help PIA declared their second innings at 429 for six.

Chasing 310 runs in 84 overs, KRL safely negotiated one over without scoring.

Yasir, who blasted century in each innings against Bangladesh three seasons ago on his Test debut, belted 20 boundaries in his 343-minute vigil before being caught by substitute Azhar at square leg, trying to pull Abdul Rauf.

Faisal was in an aggressive mood, hitting 15 boundaries and three sixes in his 114 off 160 balls while batting for 199 minutes. He was eventually bowled by occasional slow left-armer Saeed Anwar Junior.

It was complete turnaround for PIA after being bowled out for a paltry 123 on the opening day, but thanks to Yasir and Faisal, they hit back with a new vigour and purpose.

Opener Kamran Sajid also excelled with a knock of 60. The left-handed, who slammed 11 fours, was involved in a second-wicket partnership of 116 with Yasir.

Scoreboard

PIA (1st Innings) 123 (Abdur Rauf 5-54).

KRL (1st Innings) 243 (Mohammad Wasim 61; Fazle Akbar 5-63).

PIA (2nd Innings, overnight 1431-1):

Agha Sabir c Zulfiqar b Ali Raza 20

Kamran Sajid c Farrukh b Rauf 60

Yasir Hameed c sub (Azhar) b Rauf 139

Bazid Khan c Mohtashim b Farrukh 20

Faisal Iqbal b Saeed Anwar 114

Janisar Khan b Saeed Anwar 26

Ahmed Zeeshan Malik not out 20

Umar Gul not out 8

EXTRAS (B-3, LB-12, NB-7) 22

TOTAL (for six wickets decl, 135 overs) 429

FALL OF WKTS: 1-43, 2-159, 3-223, 4-304, 5-377, 6-404.

BOWLING: Abdul Rauf 21-5-75-2 (7nb); Shahzad Butt 244-77-0; Ali Naqvi 17-7-29-0; Ali Raza 19-2-70-1; Saeed Ajmal 29-1-83-0; Mohammad Farrukh 13-4-49-1; Saeed Anwar 12-1-31-2.

KRL (2nd Innings):

Saeed Anwar not out 0

Mohammad Wasim 0

TOTAL (for no wkt, 1 over) 0

BOWLING (to-date): Fazle Akbar 1-1-0-0.—APP