RAWALPINDI, Oct 12: Peshawar, powered by half centuries from Faizullah and Muhammad Adnan, took an important 50-run first innings lead against Lahore Blues in the Grade I final of the National Under-19 Cricket Championship at Rawalpindi Stadium Friday.

A fine hat-trick by Lahore medium pacer Hafiz Bilal however restricted Peshawar, who were dismissed for 376 off their 90 overs after resuming at the overnight score of 230-4.

Lahore Blues in their second innings were 159 for four when play ended 2.4 overs before the scheduled close.

Bilal mopped up the Peshawar tail removing Kashif Hayat, Omer Gul and Kamran Ali to complete his hat-trick and finish with five wickets for 73 runs. His first victim earlier in the innings Friday, the third day of the match, was the prize scalp of Faizullah who had settled down well in scoring 62 runs.

Muhammad Adnan batted cautiously to hit up 51 for which he needed 74 balls while Muhammad Idrees chipped in with 31 important runs. However the rest of the batting capitulated in face of accurate bowling by Bilal.

Opener Salman Butt helped Lahore make a good start to their second innings, hitting 60 before falling to Kamran Ali. Khaqan Arsal, the first innings century-maker, was unlucky to be run out for 37.

Kamran Ali claimed two wickets for Peshawar with Omer Gul striking once.

Fahadul Haq (13) and Kashif Mahmood (4) would now resume the Lahore innings Saturday, the last day of the match.