LAHORE, April 24: A fine century by Naumanullah helped National Bank obtain vital first innings lead against Karachi Harbour on the second day of the Pentangular Cup match at the Qadhafi Stadium on Monday.

Nauman hit 134 off 168 balls with the aid of 19 fours and five sixes as the bankers closed the day at 427 for eight.

The huge lead – which is so far worth 178 runs – has all but assured the bankers of winning the title even if the match were to end in a draw.

In case of a draw, the bankers will join current leaders Faisalabad on 27 points.

But on the basis of run-rate, National Bank would be declared rthe champions.

National Bank owed their strong position to Nauman after being 67 for three at one stage. The tall right-hander shared in two crucial partnerships with left-handers Akhtar Sarfraz and Qaiser Abbas.

With Akhtar (21), Nauan added 56 for the fourth wicket and 93 for the fifth wicket with Qaiser, who made 63 with the aid of 10 fours and two sixes.

All-rounder Imran Javed then consolidated the innings further striking an unbeaten 46 while adding 87 for the eighth-wicket with Test fast bowler Mohammad Sami (43).

Scoreboard

KARACHI HARBOUR (1st Innings) 249 (Mohtashim Ali 77; Wasim Khan 6-57).

NATIONAL BANK (1st Innings, overnight 10-1):

Salman Butt run out 3

Nasir Jamshed c Sarfraz b Faraz 23

Faisal Athar c Afsar b Hasnain 25

Naumanullah lbw b Adnan 134

Akhtar Sarfraz c Adnan b Atif 21

Qaiser Abbas c Rameez b Adnan 63

Kamran Akmal c Rameez b Atif 35

Imran Javed not out 46

Mohammad Sami c Sarfraz b Faraz 43

Wasim Khan not out 4

EXTRAS (W-9, LB-11, W-4, NB-6) 30

TOTAL (for eight wkts, 95 overs) 427

FALL OF WKTS: 1-8, 2-63, 3-67, 4-123, 5-216, 6-277, 7-334, 8-421.

BOWLING: Faraz Ahmed Khan 25-3-98-2; Mohammad Hasnain 28-3-120-1; Atif Maqbool 20-1-103-2; Fahadullah 2-0-10-0; Adnan Malik 20-2-96-2.