KARACHI, April 11: Despite a fine century by Azhar Ali, Khan Research Laboratories (KRL) were in danger of conceding first-innings to Punjab in the Pentangular Cup match at the NBP Sports Complex here on Wednesday.

Replying to the regional side’s mammoth score of 533 for nine, KRL closed the penultimate day of the four-day tie at 382 for eight with Shahzad Butt (22) and Akhtar Ayub (8) at the crease. KRL now need just two runs to avoid the follow-on.

Resuming at 104 for no loss, KRL were initially well served by the 22-year-old Azhar, who converted his overnight 37 to 112, and Saeed bin Nasir. The opening partnership ended with the total on 170 when Saeed was leg-before-wicket to slow left-armer Imran Khalid for 83. Actually, the stand between Azhar and Saeed realized 168 since Ashar Zaidi had retired hurt on Tuesday with the total on two.

Apart from Azhar, who hit 12 boundaries in his 248-ball knock, Bilal Asad struck 11 fours in making 82 off 123 balls until he was caught by Imran Nazir off Imran Khalid.

Imran Khalid has so far taken four for 81 in 31 overs. Rana Naved-ul-Hasan, the Pakistan pacer, captured two for 101 including Azhar’s scalp.

Scoreboard

PUNJAB (1st Innings) 533-9 declared (Mohammad Hafeez 88, Naved Latif 69, Wahab Riaz 68, Imran Nazir 60, Imran Khalid 51 not out).

KRL (1st Innings, overnight 104-0):

Ashar Zaidi c Hafeez b Imran Khalid 18

Azhar Ali lbw b Rana Naved 112

Saeed bin Nasir lbw b Imran Khalid 83

Saeed Anwar lbw b Hafeez 16

Bilal Asad c Imran Nazir b Imran Khalid 82

Mohammad Wasim c Hafeez b Wahab 6

Zulfiqar Jan lbw b Rana Naved 1

Shahzad Butt not out 22

Mohammad Irshad b Imran Khalid 4

Akhtar Ayub not out 8

EXTRAS (B-13, LB-5, W-3, NB-9) 30

TOTAL (for eight wkts, 118 overs) 382

TO BAT: Saeed Ajmal.

BOWLING (to-date): Rana Naved-ul-Hasan 24-4-101-2 (6nb, 2w); Wahab Riaz 26-6-74-1 (3nb); Imran Khalid 31-10-81-4; Adnan Rasool 17-3-54-0; Mohammad Hafeez 17-4-43-0 (1w); Bilal Khilji 3-0-11-0.