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KARACHI, Dec 18: Fine centuries by Mohtashim Ali, Sharjeel Ashraf and Aamir Iqbal guided Defence Housing Authority (DHA) to an honourable draw against Bangladesh ‘A’ in the Patron’s Trophy fixture at National Stadium on Thursday.
Left-handers Mohtashim and Sharjeel scored their maiden centuries in first-class cricket while Aamir, the former Customs wicket-keeper/batsman, equalled his highest score at this level as DHA added exactly 300 to their overnight 173 for three to finish on 473 for six in the second innings.
It was an incredible performance by side that was outplayed in the previous three days of the Pool ‘A’ tie. Forced to bat again, DHA needed 121 on Thursday to avoid an innings defeat but the extraordinary heroics of the three century-makers changed the complexion of the game.
Mohtashim, who started the day on 74, made 107 off 201 balls in 291 minutes in a knock that included 15 fours. Sharjeel remained unbeaten with 103 off 224 balls during his 324-minute stay and hit 10 fours and two sixes.
Aamir batted with freedom to strike 23 boundaries in reaching 129 off 176 deliveries. The crucial phase of the match being the excellent sixth-wicket partnership of 229 between Sharjeel and Aamir that ensured a draw.
Bangladesh ‘A’, containing several Test players, were thoroughly disappointing as their bowlers toiled on an easy-paced last day pitch and none of them looked threatening. Skipper Mushfiqur Rahman tried as many as nine bowlers but an outright eluded the tourists who took only three points for first innings lead.
Scoreboard
BANGLADESH ‘A’ (1st Innings) 452-9 decl (Shahriar Hossain 218; Rizwan Saeed 4-116).
DHA (1st Innings) 158 (Rizwan Qureshi 62; Tarek Aziz 4-36).
DHA (2nd Innings, overnight 173-3):
Asif Zakir c Hannan b Mushfiqur 14
Asmatullah c Selim b Tarek 40
Mohtashim Ali c Selim b Anwar 107
Wasim Naeem c Manzar b Tarek 12
Rizwan Qureshi c Tarek b Mushfiqur 36
Sharjeel Ashraf not out 103
Aamir Iqbal c sub b Manjural 129
Umair Hasan not out 5
EXTRAS (B-8, LB-14, W-1, NB-4) 27
TOTAL (for six wkts, 142 overs) 473
FALL OF WKTS: 1-34, 2-68, 3-117, 4-211, 5-231, 6-460.
BOWLING: Alamgir Kabir 18-2-58-0; Anwar Hossain Monir 28-8-68-1 (1w); Tarek Aziz 23-5-66-2 (1nb); Mushfiqur Rahman 25-9-67-2 (1nb); Manjural Islam Rana 19-4-73-1 *2nb); Rajin Saleh 10-1-30-0; Hannan Sarkar 6-2-25-0; Ehsanul Haq 3-1-16-0; Mohammad Ashraful 10-3-48-0.
