LAHORE, April 1: Opening batsman Atiqur Rahman hammered an unbeaten century which enabled Sialkot give a fitting response to National Bank’s massive first innings score in the Pentagular Cup cricket tournament at the Multan Cricket Stadium on Saturday.

Atiq compiled exactly 150 as Sialkot closed the second day of the four-day tie at 236 for two after the bankers had amassed 527.

Atiq’s splendid 206-ball innings has so far included 22 boundaries and two sixes while dominating the first-wicket partnership of 218 with Inamul Haq.

Inam’s contribution was a solid 69 that was laced with eight fours.

Earlier, the bankers added 170 to their overnight tally of 357 for six mainly due to a superb undefeated 122 by young all-rounder Mansoor Amjad.

Mansoor, who is more known fir his leg-spin bowling, struck 13 fours during his 198-ball knock after starting the day on 62.

Tailenders Mohammad Sami (49) and Wasim Khan (44) also made useful contributions.

Although paceman Tahir Mughal grabbed three wickets but he gave away as many as 179 runs in 32 overs.

Scoreboard

NATIONAL BANK (1st Innings, overnight 357-6):

Imran Nazir c Khalid b Sarfraz 44

Faisal Athar c Faisal b A Rehman 72

Naumanullah c Atiq b Tahir 142

Shahid Yousuf b Asim 19

Naved Latif b A Rehman 27

Mansoor Amjad not out 122

Yasir Arafat c Atiq b Tahir 4

Mohammad Sami run out 49

Naeem Ahmad b Tahir 6

Wasim Khan c A Rehman b Asim 44

Irfanuddin c Khalid b Sarfraz 0

EXTRAS (B-5, LB-5, W-2, NB-3) 15

TOTAL (all out, 119.4 overs) 537

FALL OF WKTS: 1-14, 2-126, 3-173, 4-231, 5-329, 6-333, 7-421, 8-431, 9-507.

BOWLING: Sarfraz Ahmed 28.4-5-97-2 (nb2, 1w); Tahir Mughal 32-0-179-3 (1nb); Asim Butt 26-3-137-2; Abdul Rahman 29-3-78-2; Kamran Younis 4-0-10-0.

SIALKOT (1st Innings):

Inamul Haq lbw Wasim 69

Atiqur Rahman not out 150

Faisal Khan c Shahid b Sami 0

Asim Butt not out 6

EXTRAS (LB-2, W-5, NB-4) 11

TOTAL (for two wkts, 60 overs) 236

FALL OF WKTS: 1-218, 2-230.

BOWLING (to-date): Mohammad Sami 13-1-61-1 (3nb); Wasim Khan 16-3-57-1; Yasir Arafat 6-1-12-0; Irfanuddin 13-0-54-0; Mansoor Amjad 12-1-50-0 (1nb).

Opinion

Editorial

A difficult story
Updated 12 Jun, 2026

A difficult story

Unless productivity becomes the dominant target of economic policy, Pakistan will continue to oscillate between crises and fragile recovery.
Rough waters
12 Jun, 2026

Rough waters

AMONGST the key potential triggers for fresh conflict in South Asia is water. The Indian state is behaving in an...
Politicised football
12 Jun, 2026

Politicised football

ALMOST three-and-half years since Lionel Messi led Argentina to FIFA World Cup glory, the latest edition of...
GB polls’ aftermath
Updated 11 Jun, 2026

GB polls’ aftermath

The new administration must address the region’s issues proactively.
Peace in retreat
11 Jun, 2026

Peace in retreat

THE ceasefire announced in April was supposed to create space for negotiations. Instead, it has been repeatedly...
A few good men
11 Jun, 2026

A few good men

IT was a brave move, no doubt. This Tuesday, in the land of the Afghan Taliban, a few good men decided to take a...