November 29, 2007	Thursday	Ziqa’ad 18, 1428

LAHORE, Nov 28: As was expected, Pakistan International Airlines (PIA) regained their top spot in pool ‘B’ after an emphatic eight-wicket win over Quetta in the Quaid-i-Azam championship at the KRL Stadium, Rawalpindi on Wednesday.

Although Sui Northern Gas Pipe Lines (SNGPL) on Tuesday had occupied the first position with 45 points after beating Islamabad, the national carriers’ off-spinner Tahir Khan’s haul of five for 44 played a vital role in winning them the match. Quetta having conceded a 153 runs lead in their first innings, were all out for 202 in the second innings after resuming at 166-6 to set a target of just 50 for PIA. In reply, PIA romped home losing two wickets to also make 45 points. But their net run rate of 0.180 compared to SNGPL’s 0.399 elevated them to top position.

At the Lahore Country Club, Muridke, paceman Sajid Shah’s match figure of 10 wickets for 117, guided Habib Bank Limited (HBL) to seize the top position in pool ‘A’ with 45 points, after inflicting a 138-run defeat on Lahore Ravi.

Chasing the hard winning target of 318, Lahore Ravi resumed their second innings at 58-4 and lost the remaining six wickets while just being able to add 121 runs to reach 179. Sajid, who claimed four wickets for 50 in the first innings, returned with a figure of six for 67 in the second. He was supported by another paceman Fahad Masood, who captured four for 59.

A defensive approach by National Bank of Pakistan’s (NBP) skipper Imran Nazir, helped Wapda earn a draw at the NBP Sports Complex, Karachi.

But although Wapda managed to draw, they failed to save their first position in pool ‘A’ after HBL’s win.

Having earned a 131-run lead in the first innings, NBP resumed the second innings at 59-0 to lead by 190. But instead of making an early declaration, after adding more runs, the bankers preferred to bat as Naumanullah (101 not out) struck back-to-back centuries and Mansoor Amjad also slammed an unbeaten 101. NBP finally declared at 272-2 in 80.5 overs as Wapda in the remaining 10 overs’ play were 34-1 in the second knock before the umpires called off the match. NBP, however, earned three points on their first innings lead, which made them runners-up, bringing down Wapda from the first position to the third on net run-rate.

Another dismal batting display in the second knock at the Arbab Niaz Stadium, Peshawar, led Peshawar to a big innings and 70-run defeat at the hands of Khan Research Laboratories (KRL).

With a first innings deficit of 321 runs, Peshawar began their second innings at 205-5 but they were all out after adding only 46 runs at 251.

A five-wicket haul by paceman Mohammad Naved, who took six in his first knock, propelled Lahore Shalimar to a big win of 197 runs against Karachi Blues at the Sheikhupura Stadium.

Set 352 to win, Karachi Blues resumed their second innings at 41-3 but Naved was on song as they were all bundled out for just 154 in 39.2 overs.

An unbeaten double ton by opener Naeem-ud-din (216) and five half-centuries became the significant feature in Sialkot’s mounting first innings total of 666-7 against Hyderabad in the drawn match at the Jinnah Stadium, Sialkot.

Naeem, who began from 122, remained unbeaten after a marathon stay of 642 minutes at the crease. Kamran Younis (90), Nayyar Abbas (83, 13 fours), Hafiz Khalid (83,

seven fours, seven sixes, 48 balls), Ayaz Tassawar (70) and Faisal Khan (64) all put Hyderabad’s bowlers on edge.

The high-scoring match between Multan and Customs also ended in a draw at the Gymkhana ground, Okara.

In another match where the batsmen held sway over the bowlers, Faisalabad and Sui Southern Gas Company drew the game at the Sports Stadium, Sargodha.

Summarised scores:

Lahore Country Club, Muridke

HBL win by 138 runs.

HBL (1st innings): 233. And 212. LAHORE RAVI (1st innings) 128. And 179 (Ali Haider 66; Sajid Shah 6-67, Fahad Masood 4-59).

NBP Sports Complex, Karachi

Draw.

NBP (1st innings) 443. And 272-2 decld (Naumanullah 101 not out, Mansoor Amjad 101 not out). WAPDA (1st innings) 312. And 34-1.

Sports Stadium, Sargodha

Draw.

FAISALABAD (1st innings) 521. And 254-5 (Usman Arshad 105, Asif Hussain 80). SSGC (1st innings) 374 (Ahmed Zeeshan 99, Mohammad Zafar 81, Saeed Bin Nasir 73 Ahmed Hayat 3-124, Mohammad Talha 3-68).

KRL Stadium, Rawalpindi

PIA win by eight wickets.

QUETTA (1st innings) 171. And 202 (Hameed Ullah 56; Tahir Khan 5-44). PIA (1st innings) 324. And 50-2.

Gymkhana ground, Okara

Draw.

MULTAN (1st innings) 567-5. And 138-2 (Gulraiz Sadaf 90). CUSTOMS (1st innings) 580 (Zahoor Elahi 132, Bilal Shifiat 99, Yasir Hussain 77, Rawait Khan 62, Asif Iqbal 93; Mohammad Tanveer 3-91, Ahmed Raza 3-115).

Abbottabad Stadium, Abbottabad

Draw.

ZTBL (1st innings) 286. And 212-2 (Adnan Raza 103, Zohaib Khan 68 not out). ABBOTTABAD (1st innings) 441.

Arbab Niaz Stadium, Peshawar

KRL win by an innings and 70 runs.

KRL (1st innings) 452-6 declared. PESHAWAR (1st innings) 131. And 251(Mehfooz Sabri 82, Nawaz Ahmed 51; Yasir Arafat 3-71).

Jinnah Stadium, Sialkot

HYDERABAD (1st innings) 415. SIALKOT (1st innings) 666-7 ((Naeem-ud-Din 216, Kamran Younis 90, Faisal Khan 64, Ayaz Tasawar 70, Nayyar Abbas 83, Hafiz Khalid 83; Rizwan Ahmed 3-118).

Sheikhupura Stadium.

LAHORE SHALIMAR win by 197 runs.

LAHORE SHALIMAR (1st innings) 157. And 329. KARACHI BLUES (1st innings) 135. And 154 (Tariq Haroon 46, Mansoor Khan 41; Mohammad Naved 5-74).