KARACHI: A last-ball six from Ahmed Iqbal earned Karachi Port Trust (KPT) the all-important lead on the first innings against K-Electric in the Patron’s Trophy (Grade-II) Cricket Tournament semi-final on a sensational second day of the three-day fixture at the National Stadium here on Wednesday.

Ahmed, the former Pakistan Under-19 all-rounder, nonchalantly hoisted paceman Mir Hamza straight into the sightscreen to finish on 114 not out while steering KPT into the lead at 397-8. Raza Ali Dar and Babar Rehman also contributed significantly with scores of 93 and 76, respectively.

Responding to K-Electric’s formidable total of 393-8, it seemed unlikely that KPT would succeed in their endeavour to reach the final against the already-qualified Omar Associates when they had progressed to 322-7 in 76 overs. With only seven overs remaining for the mandatory quota set aside for the first innings in the non-first-class competition, K-Electric were firm favourites to take the lead.

K-Electric had no idea what hit them after the second new ball arrived at the start of the 77th over. In a remarkable turnaround, KPT plundered 75 runs from those seven overs with the 30-year-old all-rounder Babar Rehman playing a decisive role in partnership with the well-settled Ahmed Iqbal.

The eighth-wicket stand yielded 112 runs in 85 deliveries thanked to the brilliant Babar who spanked six sixes and as many fours in making 76 off just 45 balls in 68 minutes.

K-Electric’s strike bowler Mir Hamza was left shell-shocked by the punishing blade of Babar, who bludgeoned three sixes — including two massive blows over square leg onto the rooftop of the stadium — as the left-arm seamer conceded 47 runs in his last four overs.

Until that point, KPT had found even reaching 300 a faraway dream when the fourth wicket went down at 100. But the 27-year-old left-handed Raza was then joined by Ahmed in a crucial stand worth 145 in 130 minutes to revive the innings. Raza perished after having adorned his 135-ball knock with five fours and a brace of sixes.

The cool-headed Ahmed was superb in anchoring the KPT run chase during his stay of 231 minutes as the 26-year-old negotiated 152 balls while striking five boundaries and that game-changing six.

Mir Hamza ended up with unflattering analysis of one for 114 in 19 overs. His new-ball partner Waqar Anwar, who made the initial breakthrough with the scalp of opener Nadeem Javed (14), took one for 54 in 11 overs.

The spinners, Shahzaib Ahmed Khan and Faraz Ahmed Khan who played for Pakistan Navy until last season, did bulk of the bowling. Leg-spinner Shahzaib grabbed three wickets for 114 in 27 overs, while slow left-armer Faraz claimed 3-107 in 26 overs.

K-Electric faced 10 overs of the second innings to collect 57-0 — with skipper Rameez Raja (28 off 29 balls, four fours) and Behram Khan (26 off 33, four fours) at the crease — to lead by 53.

Unless something spectacular takes place on Thursday’s last day, KPT only require a draw to qualify for the four-day final that begins from Sunday at the same venue.

Close of play scores on Wednesday (day two of three):

At National Stadium, Karachi: K-ELECTRIC 393-8 in 83 overs (Majid Khan 146, Javed Mansoor 113, Mir Hamza 36, Saud Shakeel 30, Rameez Raja 27; Bilawal 4-108) and 57-0 in 10 overs (Rameez Raja 28 not out, Behram Khan 26 not out); KARACHI PORT TRUST 397-8 in 83 overs (Ahmed Iqbal 114 not out, Raza Ali Dar 93, Babar Rehman 76, Shah Ali Zafar 30, Anas Mahmood 22, Faisal Khan 20; Faraz Ahmed Khan 3-107, Shahzaib Ahmed Khan 3-114).

Published in Dawn, April 9th, 2015

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