LAHORE, Dec 15: Fine batting by Atif Naz and Asim Ijaz helped Higher Education Commission (HEC) earn 66 runs lead on first innings against Railways on the penultimate day of Patron’s Trophy Grade-II at LCCA ground on Thursday.

Atif scored 85 (nine fours, 187 balls) while Asim hit 60 (five fours) as HEC piled up 333 for all out in 82.4 overs in reply to Raiwlays’s 267.

Leg-spinner Faisal Rasheed bowled well taking five wickets for 58 for Railways.

A fine opening stand of 172 provided by Asif Zakir and Ashraf Ali helped Sui Southern Gas Company (SSGC) to gain 90-run lead on first innings against Pakistan Air Force (PAF) at Railways Stadium.

Asif, who resumed at 57 scored 173-ball 90 with seven fours while Ashraf, who began from 48 struck 152-ball 85, laced with five fours , one six as SSGC were 297 for nine wickets declared in 81.3 overs.

At stumps, PAF were 141 for four in the second innings.

Summarised scores:

RAILWAYS 1st innings 267 in 83 overs (Ahmed Butt 87; Faraz Ahmed Khan 5-55, Sajid Aziz 4-68).

HEC 333 in 82.4 overs (Atif naz 85, Asim Naz 60, Usman Arshad 49; Faisal Rasheed 5-58, Ahmed Butt 3-82). At Railways Stadium.

PAF 1st innings 207 in 47.1 overs (Nadeem Farooqi 45, Jan-e-Alam 37, Rashid Butt 36, Shakeel Sharif 34; Haris Ayaz 5- 51, Rajesh Ramesh 5-50) and 141 for four (Rashid Butt 47, Arshad 47).

SSGC 1st innings 297 for nine decd (Asif Zakir 90, Ashraf Ali 85; Mohammad Riaz 3-83, Nadeem Farooqi 3-54).