KARACHI, Jan 4: PIA staged a great fightback to gain a narrow eight-run lead on the first innings over Sui Northern Gas Pipelines Ltd (SNGPL) on the third day of their four-day Patron’s Trophy Grade-I fixture at NBP Sports Complex on Wednesday.

SNGPL, despite two century partnerships, squandered the advantage as they were bowled out for 376 in their first innings in reply to PIA’s total of 384.

When stumps were drawn for the day, PIA found themselves in trouble at 15 for two in their second innings, both wickets being claimed by left-arm paceman Samiullah Niazi.

Agha Sabir was out for four while night-watchman Imran Tahir went for a duck. Kamran Sajid (9) and Shoaib Malik (4) were at the crease at the close.

For SNGPL, Mohammad Hafeez made 88 with nine fours, Saleem Mughal hit 72 with nine boundaries and skipper Misbahul Haq scored a fighting 81 with seven hits to the ropes.

After the 149-run opening stand between Hafeez and Mohammad Ayub (66), Misbah and Saleem were associated in a 144-run fifth wicket stand. But SNGP lost their last five wickets for mere 49 runs.

Scoreboard

PIA (1st Innings) 384 (Mahmood Hamid 143 not out; Imran Khalid 4-115).

SNGPL (1st Innings, overnight 149-0):

Mohammad Hafeez c and b Tahir 88

Mohammad Ayub lbw b Fazle 66

Sufyan Munir b Fazle 0

Arsalan Mir run out 14

Misbahul Haq c sub b Fazle 81

Saleem Mughal c Agha b Imran 72

Shakeel Ansar lbw b Kamran 14

Imran Khalid lbw b Kamran 13

Tariq Mahmood b Kamran 0

Waqas Ahmed c Imran b Tahir 3

Samiullah Niazi not out 0

EXTRAS (B-12, LB-5, NB-8) 25

TOTAL (all out, 113.1 overs) 376

FALL OF WKTS: 1-149, 2-149, 3-169, 4-183, 5-327, 6-351, 7-367, 8-367, 9-376.

BOWLING: Fazle Akbar 24-7-65-3 (3nb); Kamran Sajid 28-8-57-3; Imran Tahir 19-3-57-1; Tahir Khan 30.1-3-115-2 (4nb); Shoaib Malik 14-1-55-0; Bazid Khan 2-0-10-0 (1nb).

PIA (2nd Innings):

Agha Sabir c Shakeel b Sami 4

Kamran Sajid not out 9

Imran Tahir c Hafeez b Sami 0

Shoaib Malik not out 2

EXTRAS 0

TOTAL (for two wkts, 7 overs) 15

FALL OF WKTS: 1-9, 2-12.

BOWLING (to-date): Samiullah Niazi 4-1-7-2; Arsalan Mir 2-1-7-0; Imran Khalid 1-1-0-0.

—APP