RAWALPINDI, Jan 8: Rawalpindi were facing certain defeat after Peshawar obtained a big first-innings lead of 167 runs on the third day of the Quaid-i-Azam Trophy Gold League match at the Rawalpindi Cricket Stadium on Monday.
By stumps the hosts had struggled to 127 for six in their second innings despite a fighting knock of 87 by opener Babar Naeem. They still need 40 runs to make Peshawar bat again with only four wickets standing.
Ex-Test paceman Fazle Akbar set about Peshawar’s victory charge with three wickets in his opening spell, including that of Naveed Qureshi for a duck. The former Test right-hander top-scored in the first innings with 97.
Asif Mahmood bagged a pair in the match while falling to Riaz Afridi in both innings. Former Test off-spinner and Peshawar captain Arshad Khan took two for 37 as Babar was the only bright spot for Rawalpindi. He hit 13 fours and one six during his 142-ball knock.
Earlier, Shoaib Khan completed a fine century after resuming at 88. He was eventually out for 131, a 291-ball innings that spanned seven hours and 18 minutes and included 11 boundaries.