KARACHI: A spectacular batting collapse by State Bank of Pakistan (SBP) gave Zarai Taraqiati Bank Limited (ZTBL) the crucial first-innings lead in their Patron’s Trophy Grade-II cricket tournament semi-final in Islamabad on Wednesday.

After Monday’s truncated day one during which ZTBL limped to 143-7, the second day at the Diamond Club was dramatic as it could be with both these departments vying to reach the final in order to regain first-class status.

The overnight partnership of 87 for the eighth wicket between skipper Saad Nasim (70 off 64 balls, eight fours) and Hamza Nadeem (53 off 63, seven fours and one six) lifted ZTBL to 218 all out.

Left-armer Nazar Hussain captured four wickets for 21 runs in 15.1 overs, while fellow paceman Umaid Asif took 3-60. Pakistan under-19 wicket-keeper Rohail Nazir also excelled with five catches.

SBP, in reply, lost captain Israrullah (10) and Umar Waheed in successive deliveries to fast bowler Mohammad Ali (4-72 in 12.2 overs) with the score on 23. Rizwan Hussain (52 off 81, eight boundaries) and the talented Sahibzada Farhan (55 off 56, seven fours and two sixes) put on 90 before the rot set in.

The dismissal of Farhan triggered a clatter of wickets as last eight went down for the addition of 70 runs as SBP were bowled out for 183 in 37.2 overs to enable ZTBL take a lead of 35 runs.

After his heroics with the bat earlier in the day Hamza bagged three wickets for 50 runs in his familiar pace-bowling role.

ZTBL, however, have given SBP hope of victory on Thursday’s last day as they lost three second-innings wickets for 43 runs before stumps with Taj Wali striking twice on the final two balls of the day.

Despite an unbeaten century from Nadeem Javed, Karachi Port Trust (KPT) conceded a lead of 17 runs on the first innings to Ghani Glass in the other semi-final at the Pindi Cricket Stadium in Rawalpindi.

Starting day two at 2-1 in reply to 241 totalled by their opponents, KPT were dismissed for 224 with Nadeem left high and dry on 115 (194 balls, 18 boundaries) after Anas Mahmood emulated his opening partner Khalid Mahmood by getting out for a duck.

Taimur Ali made 25 but Nadeem got no support whatsoever from the rest.

Fast bowler Mohammad Umar was Ghani Glass bowling hero with a fine return of 6-85 in 27.1 overs, while his left-arm new-ball partner Saif-ur-Rehman picked up three wickets for 63 runs.

Only one over was possible before stumps were pulled out for the day as ZTBL reached 3-0 to have an overall lead of 20 runs.

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

Semi-finals:

At Diamond Club Ground, Islamabad: ZARAI TARAQIATI BANK LIMITED 218 in 60.1 overs (Saad Nasim 70, Hamza Nadeem 53, Usman Ashraf 29; Umaid Asif 3-38, Nazar Hussain 4-21, Umaid Asif 3-60, Taj Wali 2-56) and 43-3 in 11 overs (Saadullah Ghauri 27; Taj Wali 2-0); STATE BANK 183 in 37.2 overs (Sahibzada Farhan 55, Rizwan Hussain 52, Mukhtar Ahmed 30; Mohammad Ali 4-72, Hamza Nadeem 3-50).

At Pindi Cricket Stadium, Rawalpindi: GHANI GLASS 241 in 80.1 overs (Mohammad Waheed 81, Tayyab Tahir 50, Ali Usman 29, Afaq Shahid 21, Ulfat Shah 21; Husban Javed 5-69, Rashid Hanif 2-58, Babar Rehman 2-64) and 3-0 in 1 over; KARACHI PORT TRUST 224 in 63.1 overs (Nadeem Javed 115 not out, Taimur Ali 25; Mohammad Umar 6-85, Saif-ur-Rehman 3-63).

Published in Dawn, April 19th, 2018

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