December 15, 2007	Saturday	Zilhaj 4, 1428

LAHORE, Dec 14: Test discard Mohammad Hafeez hit a century to put pool “B” leaders Sui Northern Gas Pipe Lines (SNGPL) in a commanding position against Lahore Shalimar on Friday, the second day of the 10th round of the Quaid-i-Azam Trophy championship at Gaddafi Stadium, Lahore.

Hafeez’s (113) second century of the competition along with half-centuries by Umar Akmal (65) and Khurram Shahzad (64) helped SNGPL earn a first innings total of 297 to gain a 135-run lead in the first innings, despite fine bowling by pace-man Mohammad Naved (six for 91).

Lahore Shalimar’s problems were further compounded as they scored just 52-3 in the second innings by close of play, fearing an innings defeat. They still have seven wickets intact but need 103 runs to avoid an innings defeat.

Meanwhile pool ‘A’ leaders Habib Bank Limited (HBL) are likely to gain the lead in the first innings, while facing the tough National Bank of Pakistan (NBP) in an important match at the NBP Sports Complex.

Having bowled NBP out for a first innings total of 297, after they resumed in the morning from 207-6, HBL were well on course, scoring 195-3 by close of play, thanks to an unbeaten knock by Aftab Khan (55).

For HBL leg-spinner Aslam Qureshi finished with a figure of five for 81.

An undefeated knock of 81 by Mohammad Ayub helped Sialkot recover from a precarious position against Lahore Ravi at the LCCA ground.

Having conceded a 77 runs lead by scoring just 88 in the first innings, Sialkot were 211-5 in the second innings by close of play. Earlier in the first innings, Ali Bhutta took five wickets for 38 for Sialkot to bowl out Lahore Ravi for 165.

An unbeaten century by opener Usman Tariq (118) helped Multan give a perfect reply to Hyderabad’s first innings total of 335 at the Multan Stadium. Usman hit 12 fours and three sixes as Multan were in sound position by close of play, taking the total to 229-4.

A tail ender Haris Ayaz (61) helped Sui Southern Gas Company (SSGC) earn a 26 runs lead in the first innings against a strong Wapda, despite paceman Sarfraz Ahmed’s tumbling six wickets for 48. SSGC were all out for 226, while replying to Wapda’s total of 200. Wapda in the second innings were 43-2.

Ameer Khan with an undefeated knock of 58 and Ashar Zaidi of 60, brought Islamabad in a position to gain a first innings lead against Quetta at the Diamond Club Ground, Islamabad.

Replying to Quetta’s first innings total of 244, Islamabad were 229-7 by the end of the day’s play.

A century by opener Afaq Rahim (107 not out) and half-century by Adnan Raza (62) played a key role in Zarai Tarraqiati Bank Limited’s (ZTBL) earning a first innings lead of 63 runs against Karachi Blues, while their seven wickets are still intact at the UBL Sports Complex ground, Karachi.

The bankers were 251-7 while replying to Karachi Blues’ paltry total of 188.

In another match, both Rawalpindi and Peshawar look poised to gain the first innings lead. Peshawar scored 256, due to an unbeaten knock by Sajjad Ahmed (83), after resuming the first innings at 134-6. In reply, Rawalpindi were 140-3.

After Khan Research Laboratories’ (KRL) and Abbottabad’s agreeing to forfeit the first innings, the former were 26 without loss in the second innings at the Abbottabad Stadium, where the match started after the first day had been washed out. Under the playing condition’s clause 13.5, the decision will now be taken on the second innings lead.

Summarised scores:

Gaddafi Stadium, Lahore

LAHORE SHALIMAR (1st innings) 162. 52-3. SNGPL (1st innings) 297 (Mohammad Hafeez 113, Umar Akmal 65, Khurram Shahzad 64; Mohammad Naved 6-91).

NBP Sports Complex, Karachi

NBP (1st innings) 297-(Rashid Riaz 73, Qaiser Abbas 74; Aslam Qureshi 5-81, Fahad Masood 3-62). HBL (1st innings) 195-3 (Aftab Khan 55 not out).

LCCA ground, Lahore

SIALKOT (1st innings): 88. And 211-5 (Mohammad Ayub 81 not out).

LAHORE RAVI (1st innings) 165 (Waqas Ahmed 45; Ali Bhutta 5-38, Mohammad Imrn 3-48).

Asghar Ali Shah Stadium, Karachi

WAPDA (1st innings) 200. And 43-2. SSGC (1st innings)226 (Haris Ayaz 64, Ahmed Zeeshan 51; Sarfraz Ahmed 6-48).

Multan Stadium, Multan

HYDERABAD (1st innings) 335 (Azeem Ghumman 96, Faisal Athher 65, Rizwan Ahmed 58, Shahid Qambrani 55; Rahat Ali 4-35, Ansar Javed 3-76). MULTAN (1st innings) 229-4 (Usman Tariq 118 not out; Naeem-ur-Rehman 3-34).

At National Stadium, Karachi

CUSTOMS (1st innings) 223-3 (Asif Iqbal 94 not out, Zahoor Elahi 74) vs KARACHI WHITES.

Arbab Niaz Stadium, Peshawar

PESHAWAR (1st innings) 256 (Sajjad Ahmed 83 not out; Yasir Ali 3-57, Rizwan Akber 3-77, Yasim Murtaza 3-51). RAWALPINDI (1ST innings) 140-3.

Diamond Club ground, Islamabad

QUETTA (1st innings) 244. ISLAMABAD (1st innings): 229-7 (Ameer Khan 58, Imad Wasim 41, Asghar Zaidi 60).

UBL Sports Complex, Karachi

KARACHI BLUES (1st innings) 188. ZTBL (1st innings) 251-3 (Afaq Rahim 107 not out, Inam-ul-Haq 45, Adnan Raza 62).

Abbottabad Stadium

After first innings forfeited due to wash out on first day.

KRL (2nd innings) 26-0. Vs ABBOTTABAD.