November 26, 2007	Monday	Ziqa’ad 15, 1428

LAHORE, Nov 25: A five-wicket burst by medium-pacer Asad Ali and an unbeaten half-century by Yasir Arafat put Sui Northern Gas Pipe Lines (SNGPL) in a position to earn a first innings lead in their crucial Group ‘B’ match of Quaid-i-Azam Trophy championship against Islamabad on Sunday at Diamond Club Ground in Islamabad.

Both the teams with leaders Pakistan International Airlines (PIA) were equalled at 36 points each in group ‘B’. But going by the net-run-rate SNGPL are second with Islamabad third but a victory could elevate them to a more respectful position.

Asad, claiming five for 52, was largely instrumental in getting Islamabad out for a total of 178 in just 39.4 overs in the first innings despite resistance from a lower-order Fakhir Husain (56) and opener Umar Khan (42). By close of play Yasir, batting at 54, and opener Mohammad Hafeez (36) had taken SNGPL’s first innings total to 114-3 in 22.2 overs.

In an important group ‘A’ match at the Lahore Country Club, Muridke, despite fine batting by Kamran Hussain (84) and Aftab Khan (86), Habib Bank Limited (HBL) were placed third by getting a moderate total of 233 against Lahore Ravi, who stand fourth. Two quick wickets by pacer Sajid Shah had the rivals reduced to 30-2 by close of play.

Centuries by opener Nasir Jamshed (134) and Nauman Ullah (126 not out) at the NBP Sports Complex, put National Bank of Pakistan (NBP), the runners-up in pool ‘A’, in commanding position. NBP saw off the day with 278-3 against group leaders Wapda. Nasir and Nauman in their second wicket partnership yielded 231 runs after Pakistan’s opener Imran Nazir earned a duck.

At the Sports Stadium, Sargodha, Faisalabad, who rank eighth in pool ‘A’, were in a sound position after collecting a total of 264-2 against Sui Southern Gas Company (SSGS), who are currently in the seventh spot. Both openers Usman Arshad (86) and Imran Ali (82) provided an opening stand of 146.

Pool ‘B’ leaders PIA don’t have much to fear from Quetta at the KRL Stadium, Rawalpindi. Four wickets by Anwar Ali and three by Tahir Khan had Quetta bundled out for 171 in 58.2 overs. PIA, at close of play, were 15 without loss.

Standing in the 5th spot in pool ‘A’, Multan, collecting 286-2 in the first innings at the Gymkhana Ground, Okara, are in a commanding position against Customs. Openers Usman Tariq (91) and Gulraiz Sadaf (57) gave Multan an opening stand of 130 and the unbeaten Abdul Rauf (83) and Ramiz Alam (33 not out) continued the good work.

A blazing knock of 91 by Adnan Raza studded with 16 fours, helped Zarai Tarqiati Bank Limited (ZTBL) earn a satisfactory total of 247-6 against Abbottabad at the latter’s ground.

At the Arbab Niaz Stadium, Saeed Anwar (86) and Ali Naqvi (64) propelled Khan Research Laboratories (KRL) to earn a total of 192 for five at Peshawar.

A century by opener Aqeel Anjum, batting at 113, helped Hyderabad finish their first day against Sialkot at 206-4 at the Jinnah Stadium, Sialkot.

Meanwhile Lahore Shalimar found themselves in trouble, tottering at 143-8 in the first innings against Karachi Blues at the Sheikhupura Stadium.

Summarised scores:

Diamond Club Ground, Islamabad

ISLAMABAD (1st innings): 178, 39.4 overs (Umair Khan 42, Fakhir Hussain 56; Asad Ali 5-52). SNGPL (1st innings) 114-3 (Yasir Arafat 54 not out).

Lahore Country Club, Muridke

HBL (1st innings): 233, 52.2 overs (Aftab Khan 86, Kamran Hussain 84; Salman Rahat 5-62). LAHORE RAVI (1st innings) 30-2.

NBP Sports Complex, Karachi

NBP (1st innings) 278-3 (Nasir Jamshed 134, Nauman Ullah 126 not out). Against WAPDA.

Sports Stadium, Sargodha

FAISALABAD (1st innings) 264-2 (Imran Ali 86, Usman Arshad 82, Ammar Mehmood 42 not out, Ijaz Ahmad 43 not out). Against SSGC.

KRL Stadium, Rawalpindi

QUETTA (1st innings) 171, 58.2 overs (Naseem Khan 65, Naseer Khan 43, Taimoor Ali 42; Anwer Ali 4-46, Tahir Khan 3-25). PIA (1st innings) 15 no loss.

Gymkhana Ground, Okara.

MULTAN (1st innings) 286-2 (Usman Tariq 91, Gulraiz Sadaf 57, Abdul Rauf 83 not out) Against CUSTOMS.

Abbottabad Stadium, Abbottabad

ZTBL (1st innings) 247-6 (Adnan Raza 91, Atif Ashraf 54; Noor-ul-amin 3-101). Against ABBOTTABAD.

Arbab Niaz Stadium, Peshawar

KRL (1st innings) 192-5 (Saeed Anwar 86, Ali Naqvi 64; Imran Khan 3-62). Against PESHAWAR.

Jinnah Stadium, Sialkot

HYDERABAD (1st innings) 208-4, 73.4 overs (Aqeel Anjum 113). Against SIALKOT.

Sheikhpura Stadium.

LAHORE SHALIMAR (1st innings) 143-8, 41 overs. Against KARACHI BLUES.