KARACHI: Karachi Dolphins recorded a magnificent comeback after being dismissed for a modest first-innings total by Zarai Taraqiati Bank Limited (ZTBL) on day one of their third-round Quaid-i-Azam Trophy National Cricket Championship Gold League clash on Friday.

The Dolphins were all out for 222 in the 72nd over after they were invited to bat by ZTBL skipper Shoaib Malik here at the National Stadium before rebounding in style to have the departmental side in heaps of trouble at 50-4 in reply.

Kashif Daud, the 28-year-old Sialkot-born paceman, returned to first-class circuit after a hiatus of almost four years, when he dismissed Majid Khan for one in his very first over to leave the Dolphins one down for one run.

Fellow pace bowler Junaid Nadir got rid of Mohammad Waqas for 14 with the score on 46 before opener Fazal Subhan and the in-form Saad Ali combined themselves in stand worth 76 when Malik’s off-spin fetched the former Pakistan captain four quick wickets.

Left-handed Saad, who made 105 and 73 in the victory over SNGPL in the second round at the same venue just a few days ago, was caught by Afaq Raheem for 53-ball 34 laced with five boundaries.

Fazal, who had struck 13 fours in his 97-ball 68, was caught by Junaid Nadir before Dolphins skipper Rameez Raja failed again when he offered a catch to Shahid Yousuf after making just four from 22 deliveries.

Faraz Ahmed Khan was then taken by Malik off his own bowling for two and slow left-armer Zohaib Khan bowled Babar Rehman for one as the Dolphins nosedived from 122-2 to 130-7, losing five wickets for mere eight runs.

Wicket-keeper/batsman Mohammad Hasan, however, came to the rescue with a timely half-century as Shahzaib Ahmed Khan (20) joined him in a priceless partnership of 44 in just under an hour before Malik had the ex-Pakistan Under-19 leg-spinner caught behind.

Hasan finished undefeated on 57 (117 balls, six fours and one six) when last man Mir Hamza was castled by discarded Test left-arm paceman Mohammad Khalil.

Malik, who these days is desperately attempting to win back the national selectors’ confidence, returned fine figures of 5-70 in 23 overs – his ninth five-for in 116 first-class matches.

ZTBL, in reply, suffered a second-ball shock when ex-Pakistan batsman Yasir Hameed was caught by paceman Adeel Malik off his own bowling without troubling the scorer.

Adeel soon picked up his second wicket when Afaq Raheem, the other opener, was bowled for 13. The stage was then set for Shahzaib to trapped nightwatchman Kashif Daud (7) and Rameez Alam (0) on successive deliveries as the ZTBL crashed to 42-4.

Malik arrived to hit two boundaries as he and Zohaib (18) batted out until close of play.

The Umar Akmal-led SNGPL, still smarting from their 234-run thrashing by the Dolphins, hit back strongly to dismiss Lahore Lions for 232 in their first innings at the Gaddafi Stadium in Lahore.

The Lions lost seven wickets for the addition of 63 runs after being well-placed at 169-3. Opener Arsalan Arshad made (49) before Raza Ali Dar (62 off 113 balls, eight boundaries) and skipper Saad Nasim (43) added 85 for the fourth wicket.

Slow left-armer Imran Khalid was the pick of the bowlers with 4-51 in 20.3 overs.

Multan Tigers had a good first day when they restricted leaders Wapda to 185 all out in 72.4 overs after choosing to bowl first at the Multan Cricket Stadium in Multan.

Aamir Sajjad scored 62 (123 balls, 10 fours) before becoming one of four wickets for off-spinner Mohammad Asif (4-54 in 20.4 overs) with upcoming fast bowler Majid Ali taking 4-41 in 18 overs.

The Tigers negotiated one over to close at 6-0.

United Bank were in the ascendancy as they bundled out Peshawar Panthers for a sorry score of 98 after opting to bowl first at the Arbab Niaz Stadium in Peshawar.

Azizullah, batting at No 9, reached a career-best 35 (58 balls, six boundaries) while dominating the ninth-wicket stand of 33 – the highest of the innings – with Taj Wali (2).

Slow left-armer Hasan Mahmood snared 4-35 in 10 overs with the pace trio of Rumman Raees Khan, Adil Raza and Prince Abbas taking two each.

United Bank went to stumps at 64-1 in their response.

Meanwhile, both matches in the twin cities of Rawalpindi and Islamabad failed to begin because of heavy rain. Rawalpindi Rams are hosting Port Qasim Authority at the Pindi Cricket Stadium, while National Bank are the visitors of Islamabad Leopards at the Diamond Club Ground.

Close of play scores on Friday (day one of four):

At National Stadium, Karachi: KARACHI DOLPHINS 222 in 71.4 overs (Fazal Subhan 68, Mohammad Hasan 57 not out, Saad Ali 34; Shoaib Malik 5-70, Junaid Nadir 2-44); ZTBL 50-4 in 16 overs (Shahzaib Ahmed Khan 2-12, Adeel Malik 2-19).

At Multan Cricket Stadium, Multan: WAPDA 185 in 72.4 overs (Aamir Sajjad 62, Ayaz Tasawwar 33; Majid Ali 4-41, Mohammad Asif 4-54); MULTAN TIGERS 6-0 in 1 over.

At Gaddafi Stadium, Lahore: LAHORE LIONS 232 in 84.3 overs (Raza Ali Dar 63, Arsalan Arshad 49, Saad Nasim 43, Umar Siddique 33; Imran Khalid 4-51, Atif Jabbar 2-36, Asad Ali 2-60) vs SNGPL.

At Pindi Cricket Stadium, Rawalpindi: RAWALPINDI RAMS vs PORT QASIM AUTHORITY – no play because of rain.

At Diamond Club Ground, Islamabad: ISLAMABAD LEOPARDS vs NATIONAL BANK – no play because of rain.

At Arbab Niaz Stadium, Peshawar: PESHAWAR PANTHERS 98 in 35.3 overs (Azizullah 35; Hasan Mahmood 4-35, Adil Raza 2-16, Prince Abbas 2-17, Rumman Raees Khan 2-18); UNITED BANK 64-1 in 24 overs.

Published in Dawn, October 25th, 2014