LAHORE, Nov 16: Fine batting by Ahmed Shafi helped Service Industries earn a respectable total of 222 for eight  in  the first  innings against Higher Education Commission (HEC)  in  the Patron’s Trophy Inter-departmental qualifying round match at LCCA Ground on Sunday.

Ahmed cracked nine boundaries to score 89 off 160 balls. But Ahmed did not receive proper support from other end as Service had lost eight wickets in 79 overs. The match started at  10.45am due to bad weather.

Service  Industries failed to make an impressive start as  its top  order  had  been removed at the total of  96-5.  Ahmad  with another main scorer Kashif Nizami (42) retrieved the position  to some extent by collecting 69 runs in the sixth wicket stand.

After  Kashif’s departure, Ahmed had a support  from  Rizwan Arshad (26 batting) as both added 40 runs in the seventh  wicket stand.

For HEC, paceman Zaheer Abbas picked up three for 26.

Six wickets burst by paceman Rao Iftikhar for  68  enabled Zarai  Taraqiati Bank Limited (ZTBL) bowl out Railways at 246  in the  first innings at Gymkhana Ground, Okara, a message  received here.

Another pacer Muhammad Siddique (3-76) was the other key wicket taker.

Kashif Naveed (54), Zia-ur-Rehman (43), Khalid Bashir (49 not out) batted well for Railways.

By close of play, ZTBL were 27 for no loss.

Propelled   by  two  half-centuries  Maisam  Husnain   (86 batting) and Shadab Kabir (55) Karachi Port Trust (KPT) earned  a good  total  of 211 for three in first innings  against  National Bank of Pakistan (NBP) at Lahore Country Club, Muridke .

Maisam  faced  100 balls in his  unbeaten  knock.  Shadab negotiated with 102 balls.

Summarised scores: Service Industries vs HEC, LCCA Ground.

SERVICE:  222  for 8 (Ahmed Shafi 89, Kashif  Nizami  42,  Rizwan Arshad 26 batting; Zaheer Abbas 3-26). Railways vs ZTBL, Gymkhana Ground, Okara.

RAILWAYS:  246 for all out, 75 overs (Kashif Naveed  54,  Zia-ur- Rehman  43,  Khalid Bashir 49, Ahmed Dar 25; Rao  Iftikhar  6-68, Muhammad Siddique 3-76).

ZTBL: 27 for no loss in 7.4 overs. KPT vs NBP, Lahore Country Club, Muridke.

KPT: 211 for three , 65.3 overs (Maisam Husnain 86, Shadab  Kabir 55, Muhammad Farrukh 31).