November 27, 2007	Tuesday	Ziqa’ad 16, 1428

LAHORE, Nov 26: While group ‘A’ leaders Wapda are struggling against runners-up National Bank of Pakistan (NBP), group ‘B’ toppers Pakistan International Airlines (PIA) are in a sound position against low-graded Quetta, on the second day of Quaid-i-Azam Trophy Championship’s seventh-round matches in progress across the country on Monday.

At their own ground in Karachi, due to fine batting by Naumanullah (176) and Rashid Riaz (57), the NBP amassed 413 in their first innings against Wapda, after resuming at the overnight score of 278-3. Nauman, who began the day at 126, struck 24 boundaries.

Sarfraz Ahmed (4-70) and Farooq Iqbal (3-33) failed to stop the bankers from posting an imposing total.

Wapda were a bit disappointed by their batsmen too, as by the close of play, they were 121-3, still under the threat of follow-on.

Meanwhile, the PIA, currently topping the pool ‘B’ with 36 points, took their first-innings total to 276-5 to seize a 105-run lead against Quetta at the KRL Stadium, Rawalpindi.

Openers Agha Sabir (85) and Khurram Manzoor (71) provided the PIA an excellent start of 158 followed by useful support from Kamran Sajid (44).

In a crucial group ‘B’ match, an unbeaten century by Khurram Shahzad (145) helped the Sui Northern Gas Pipe Lines (SNGPL), which is a great threat for the PIA supremacy, to earn a 222-run first-innings lead against Islamabad, placed at the third spot, at Diamond Club Ground, Islamabad.

In fact, all the three top teams — PIA, SNGPL and Islamabad — had 36 points, each. But on the net run-rate PIA, SNGPL and Islamabad are placed at first, second and third spots respectively.

The SNGPL, after resuming the day at 114-3, reached 400 before being dismissed, while replying to Islamabad’s paltry total of 178. Fayyaz Ahmed picked up four wickets for 63. At stumps, Islamabad were 25-1 in their second innings.

The Habib Bank Limited (HBL), in the meantime, are in a sound position after gaining a 105-run first-innings lead against Lahore Ravi at the Lahore Country Club, Muridke.

The HBL, having scored 233 in their first innings, bundled Lahore Ravi out for 128 with Sajid Shah (4-50) and Fahad Masood (3-38) being the main destroyers. The bankers were 57-1 in the second innings by the close of play.

Devastating bowling by Mohammad Naved (6-51) enabled Lahore Shalimar to earn a slim 22-run lead against Karachi Blues in a low-scoring match at the Sheikhupura Stadium.

The Karachi team, while replying to Lahore Shalimar’s total of 157 were packed up for 135. By the end of the day, Lahore were 83-2 in their second innings.

The fight is on for the first-innings lead in the match between Abbottabad and Zarai Tarqiati Bank Limited (ZTBL) at the Abbottabad Stadium.

Replying to ZTBL’s total of 286, the home team had reached 184-4 by the close of play with Ghulam Mohammad (72) being the top scorer.

Peshawar were facing follow-on against the Khan Research Laboratories (KRL) at the Arbab Niaz Stadium, Peshawar.

Propelled by three centuries including Saeed Anwar (130), Bilal Asad (105 not out) and Yasir Arafat (100 not out), the KRL grasped a first innings total of 452.

In reply, Peshawar were left reeling at 94-5 as Yasir Arafat also excelled with the leather, taking four for 40.

Seven half-centuries from Usman Arshad (82), Imran Ali (86), Ammar Mahmood (52), Ijaz Ahmed (53), Imran Ahmed (84), Mohammad Suleman (58) and Ahmed Hayat (54) helped Faisalabad earn a formidable total of 521 against the Sui Southern Gas Company (SSGC) at the Sports Stadium, Sargodha after starting at their overnight cosy score of 264-2.

Summarised scores:

At Diamond Club, ground Islamabad

ISLAMABAD (1st innings): 178 in 39.4 overs and 25-1; SNGPL (1st innings) 400 (Khurram Shahzad 145 not out, Yasir Arafat 69, Tauqeer Hussain 58; Fayyaz Ahmed 4-63).

At Lahore Country Club, Muridke

HBL (1st innings): 233 and 57-1; LAHORE RAVI (1st innings) 128 (Kashif Siddiq 61; Sajid Shah 4-50, Fahad Masood 3-38).

At NBP Sports Complex, Karachi

NBP (1st innings) 413 in 132.1 overs (Nasir Jamshed 134, Naumanullah 176, Rashid Riaz 57; Sarfraz Ahmed 4-70, Farooq Iqbal 3-83); Wapda (1st innings) 121-5.

At Sports Stadium, Sargodha

FAISALABAD (1st innings) 521 (Imran Ali 86, Usman Arshad 82, Ammar Mehmood 52, Ijaz Ahmad 53, Imran Ahmed 84, Mohammad Suleman 53, Ahmed Hayat 54; Shahzad Butt 3-86); SSGC (1st innings) 52-2.

At KRL Stadium, Rawalpindi

QUETTA (1st innings) 171 in 58.2 overs; PIA (1st innings) 276-5 (Agha Sabir 85, Khurram Manzoor 71, Kamran Sajid 44; Anwar Ali 4-46).

At Gymkhana ground, Okara

MULTAN (1st innings) 567-5 (Ramiz Alam 155, Sohaib Maqsood 96, Abdul Rauf 98, Usman Tariq 91, Gulraiz Sadaf 57); CUSTOMS (1st innings) 122-2.

At Abbottabad Stadium, Abbottabad.

ZTBL (1st innings) 286; ABBOTTABAD (1st innings) 184-4 (Ghulam Mohammad 72; Zohaib Khan 3-55).

At Arbab Niaz Stadium, Peshawar

KRL (1st innings) 452-6 declared (Saeed Anwar 130, Bilal Asad 105 not out, Yasir Arafat 100 not out, Ali Naqvi 64; Imran Khan 3-106). PESHAWAR (1st innings) 94-5.

At Jinnah Stadium, Sialkot

HYDERABAD (1st innings) 415 (Aqeel Anjum 204; Mohammad Imran 3-108, Mohammad Ali 3-111); SIALKOT (1st innings) 48-0.

At Sheikhupura Stadium.

LAHORE SHALIMAR (1st innings) 157 and 83-2; KARACHI BLUES (1st innings) 135 (Mohammad Naved 6-51, Mohammad Shahzad

3-43).