November 21, 2007	Wednesday	Ziqa’ad 10, 1428

LAHORE, Nov 20: Both Group ‘A’ and ‘B’ leaders, Habib Bank Limited (HBL) and Islamabad, found themselves in trouble on the second day of the Quaid-i-Azam Trophy Championship on Tuesday.

Bowling out Wapda for 194 after they resumed play at 190-8 in the morning, the bankers themselves could make just 138 runs while conceding a 56-run lead in the first innings at the Sheikhupura Stadium. Paceman Kashif Raza (5-35) bowled superbly and only Riffatullah (52, seven fours) could make a substantial contribution for HBL. Extending their overall lead to 102 while finishing the day with a second innings total of 46-3, Wapda, desperate for a win to climb up to the first, is currently in the third spot in Group ‘A’.

Meanwhile, at Diamond Club ground, Islamabad, the Group ‘A’ leaders Islamabad are at the brink of conceding a heavy lead in the first innings to runners-up Pakistan International Air Lines (PIA).

The national carriers declared at a formidable total of 404-8 after resuming play at 214-3. PIA’s innings further prospered when Shoaib Khan (76) and Anwar Ali (74) batted well in the afternoon.

Later, the Islamabad batting had to face the wrath of paceman Aizaz bin Ilyas who finished the day with economic bowling figures of 4 for 11, reducing the hosts to 88-6 at the close of play. With just four wickets in hand, Islamabad now have a tough battle on their hands in order to avoid a follow-on.

A fine century from the lower-order batsman Waqas Ahmed (114, 13 fours, four sixes) helped Lahore Ravi pile up 371 runs in 89.4 overs against Sui Southern Gas Company (SSGS) at the Lahore Country Club, Muridke. Thanks to the unbeaten knock of 90 by opener Asif Zakir, SSGC at the close of play was 169-3.

At the Mirpurkhas Stadium, Lahore Shalimar found themselves in deep trouble against Rawalpindi as they tottered at 92-5 while replying to their rival’s first innings total of 284.

A century by Khurram Shahzad enabled Sui Northern Gas Pipe Lines (SNGPL) to tighten the screw over Peshawar at the Arbab Niaz Stadium, Peshawar.

Khurram struck 166 while facing 192 balls. He hit 24 boundaries which comprised two sixes as SNGPL made 298 all out while replying to Peshawar’s total of 158 to earn a 140-run lead. The hosts by close of play had lost four wickets for 64 in the second knock. They are still 76 runs behind to avoid an innings defeat.

The second century of the competition by opener Khalid Latif (153, 11 fours, three sixes) inspired Karachi Whites to earn a big first innings total of 391 against Multan at the UBL Ground No.1, Karachi.

Atif Ali Zaidi was the second highest scorer with 73. At stumps, Multan were 29-2.

Test discard Shadab Kabir with his third century of the season (167), put Karachi Blues in a good position against Abbottabad at the Abbottabad Stadium. They scored 363 in the first innings, despite leg-spinner Noor-ul-Amin’s five wickets for 131. In reply, Abbottabad were 198-4.

The fight for a first innings lead is currently underway at Iqbal Stadium, Faisalabad, as the hosts seeing off the day at 227-8 were only 18 runs away from Hyderabad’s total of 245. Fine knocks by Usman Arshad (81) and Ijaz Ahmed (72) batted well when Pir Zulifqar (4-50) and Naeem-ur-Rehman (3-60) were on song.

Fine knocks by Faisal Khan (66) and Hafiz Khalid (55) helped Sialkot seize an 80-run lead against Customs at the Jinnah Stadium, Sialkot, after scoring 225 in the first innings against Customs’s total of 145. In the second knock, Customs eliminiated the lead, scoring 80 without loss as opener Husnain Abbas struck 63 off 78 balls. Helped by five half-centuries, the low-rated Quetta obtained an imposing total of 460-9 before declaring the first innings against a strong Zarai Taraqiati Bank Limited at the KRL Stadium, Rawalpindi. Shoaib Khan (81), Jalat Khan (73), Arun Lal (68), Naseer Ahmed (52) and Sanullah (50) were all able to score half centuries. At close of play, ZTBL were eight without loss.

Summarised scores:

Diamond Club ground, Islamabad

PIA (1st innings) 404, 111 overs (Shoaib Khan 76, Anwar Ali 74; Shahzad Azam 3-112, Fakhar Hussain 3-34). Islamabad (1st innings) 88-6 (Aizaz Bin Ilyas 4-11).

Sheikhupura Stadium

Wapda (1st innings) 194, 86.1 overs (Tariq Aziz 74; Aslam Qureshi 5-28). And 46-3. HBL (1st innings) 138, 4.3 overs (Riffat Ullah 52; Kashif Raza 5-35, Azhar Ullah 3-30).

Iqbal Stadium, Faisalabad

HYDERABAD (1st innings) 245, 67.5 overs (Zahid Khan 45; Asad Zarar 5-67).

FAISALABAD (1st innings) 227-8, 83 overs (Usman Arshad 81, Ijaz Ahmed 72; Pir Zulifiqar 4-50, Naeem-ur-Rehman 3-60).

Arbab Niaz Stadium, Peshawar

PESHAWAR (1st innings) 158, 48.4 overs (Nawaz Ahmed 50; Tauqeer Hussain 4-27). And 64-4.

SNGPL (1st innings) 298, 75.5 overs (Khurram Shahzad 166; (Imran Khan 3-67, Nauman Habib 3-99, Mohammad Fayyaz 3-40).

Abbottabad Stadium

KARACHI BLUES (1st innings) 363, 101 overs (Shadab Kabir 167 not out, Mansoor Khan 69; Noor-ul-Amin 5-131, Armaghan Elahi 3-88). Abbottabad (1st innings) 198-4 (Riaz Kayal 78 not out, Adnan Raees 42).

UBL ground No.1, Karachi

KARACHI WHITES (1st innings) 391, 154.4 overs (Khalid Latif 153, Atif Ali Zaidi 73, Javed Mansoor 40; Abdul Rauf 3-92, Zulifqar Babar 3-113). Multan (1st innings) 29-2.

KRL Stadium, Rawalpindi

QUETTA (1st innings) 460-9 decld, 150.2 overs (Shoaib Khan 81, Jalat Khan 75, Arun Lal 68, Naseer Ahmed 52, Sana Ullah 50; Mohammad Khalil 3-126). ZTBL (1st innings 8 without loss.Vs ZTBL.

Lahore Country Club, Muridke

LAHORE RAVI (1st innings) 371, 89.4 overs (Waqas Ahmed 114,Kashif Siddiq 62, Sohail Ahmed 48, Junaid Zia 46, Arsalan Mir 42,; Sohail Khan 3-61, Mansoor Ahmed 3-85). SSGC (1st innings) 169-3 (Asif Zakir 90).

Mirpur Stadium, Mirpurkhas

RAWALPINDI (1st innings) 284, 111 overs (Adnan Mufti 69, Awais Zia 64; Mohammad Naved 6-91, Mohammad Saeed 4-73). Lahore Shalimar (1st innings) 92-5.

Jinnah Stadium, Sialkot

CUSTOMS (1st innings) 145, 43.1 overs (Yasir Shah 51; Imran Malik 4-40, Ali Bhutta 4-36). And 80 without loss. SIALKOT (1st innings) 225, 79.3 overs (Faisal Khan 66, Hafiz Khalid 55; Sajjad Hussain 5-75, Yasir Shah 4-53).