LAHORE, Nov 25: Fine bowling by Shakeel-ur-Rehman and Junaid Khan helped the NWFP take command against Balochistan on the second day of the RBS Pentangular Cup final at the Gaddafi Stadium here on Wednesday.

The two paceman shared seven wickets between the as Balochistan conceded a first-innings lead of 48 runs after they were dismissed for 174.

The NWFP consolidated their position by reaching 106 for two in the second innings to enjoy an overall lead of 154 in this low-scoring final.

Openers Yasir Hameed and Adnan Raees, who still at the crease with 39, provided the NWFP a fine start in a stand of 74 before Yasir’s enterprising 52-ball knock of 48 (nine fours) was ended by Azharullah.

Leg-spinner Zulfiqar Babar took the other wicket by having Riffatullah Mohmand (16) edging a cut to Balochistan skipper Misbah-ul-Haq at slip.

Earlier, Balochistan, resuming at the overnight score of 24-1, found the going tough as Junaid and Shakeel got the ball to swing appreciably in helpful conditions.

Shakeel dismissed Usman Tariq, who failed to add to his overnight score of six, before claiming the prized scalp of Misbah, trapped leg-before-wicket, for a duck. Umar Gul, the NWFP skipper, then sent back the in-form Saeed bin Nasir caught behind by Zulfiqar Jan for nine.

Bilal Khilji also went cheaply when left-armer Junaid had him leg-before-wicket for nine. Saeed Anwar Junior was the only top-order batsman to apply himself. The left-hander made 44 (74 ball, six fours) until Junaid had him caught by Riffatullah.

At 87 for six, Balochistan were in strife but a defiant partnership between Kamran Hussain and Gulraiz Sadaf yielding 71 for the seven-wicket gave them some respectability.

Al-rounder Kamran slammed 10 boundaries in making 61 off 63 balls before he was bowled by Umar Gul, who also ran out Gulraiz for 27 (42 ball, four fours).

Shakeel wasted little time in getting rid of tailenders Zulfiqar Babar and Abdur Rauf, both caught at the wicket for ducks.

Shakeel was the main wicket-taker with four for 41 in 12 overs, Junaid captured three for 49, also in a dozen overs, while Umar Gul finished with two for 63 in 15.3 overs.

Scoreboard

NWFP (1st Innings) 222 (Zulfiqar Jan 83; Abdul Rauf 5-72).

BALOCHISTAN (1st Innings, overnight 24-1):

Shoaib Khan c Aftab b Junaid 4

Usman Tariq c Aftab b Shakeel 6

Saeed Anwar Jr c Riffatullah b Junaid 44

Misbah-ul-Haq lbw b Shakeel 0

Saeed bin Nasir c Zulfiqar b Umar 9

Bilal Khilji lbw b Junaid 9

Kamran Hussain b Umar 61

Gulraiz Sadaf run out 27

Zulfiqar Babar c Zulfiqar b Shakeel 0

Abdur Rauf c Zulfiqar b Shakeel 0

Azharullah not out 4

EXTRAS (B-1, LB-1, NB-3, W-5) 10

TOTAL (all out, 42.3 overs) 174

FALL OF WKTS: 1-11, 2-24, 3-25, 4-46, 5-70, 6-97, 7-158, 8-158, 9-158.

BOWLING: Umar Gul 15.3-2-63-2 (1nb, 5w); Junaid Khan 12-1-49-3 (1nb); Shakeel-ur-Rehman 12-0-41-4 (1nb); Wajid Ali 1-0-7-0; Yasir Shah 2-0-12-0.

NWFP (2nd Innings):

Yasir Hameed b Azharullah 48

Adnan Raees not out 39

Riffatullah Mohmand c Misbah b Zulfiqar 16

Wajid Ali not out 1

EXTRAS (LB-1, W-1) 2

TOTAL (for two wkts, 31 overs) 106

FALL OF WKTS: 1-74, 2-95.

BOWLING (to-date): Abdur Rauf 9-2-33-0; Kamran Hussain 6-2-28-0; Bilal Khilji 4-3-1-0; Azharullah 7-0-39-1 (1w); Zulfiqar Babar 5-2-4-1.