KARACHI, Feb 11: Inspired by some incisive pace bowling from Shakeel-ur-Rehman, the North West Frontier Province (NWFP) hit back with a vengeance to gain control of the Pentangular Cup fixture against Sindh after the second day of action at the National Stadium here on Monday.

Having been bowled for a modest 203 on Sunday, the NWFP roared back into contention by bundling Sindh out for 149 to take a first-innings lead of 54 runs with the splendid Shakeel returning career-best figures of six for 28.The visitors then strengthened their grip by reaching 146 for three in their second innings at the halfway stage of the four-day clash. Leading the way was their astute skipper Younis Khan. The Pakistan stalwart smashed 13 exquisite boundaries on his way to an unbeaten 68 at draw of stumps with his side now in front by exactly 200 runs.

The experienced Wajahatullah Wasti, the former Test batsman, also contributed to NWFP’s dominating position as he occupied the crease for the last 96 minutes of play, while helping Younis add 75 crucial runs in the unbroken fourth-wicket partnership.

Anwar Ali Khan, the young paceman, took two wickets in quick successions and fellow pace bowler Uzair-ul-Haq dismissed Riffatullah Mohmand, the NWFP looked in trouble at 71 for three before Younis and Wajahatullah came together to put an end to their worries.

With Younis and Wajahatullah, having collectively accumulated well over 16,000 first-class runs, still at the crease, Sindh will need to stage a dramatic comeback on Tuesday to rekindle their fast-receding victory hopes.

At the start of the day, Sindh were on top at 60 for one. But Shakeel followed his highest score of 45 the day before by slicing through Sindh’s batting. Sticking to the basics of bowling in the corridor of uncertainty, the 25-year-old reaped well-deserved rewards for his sustained efforts.

Khalid Latif added only five to his overnight score of 12 before he sliced a low catch to Riffatullah at point. Test batsman Faisal Iqbal offered Yasir Hameed an easy chance in the slips. Naumanullah, who started on 33, was bowled by a sharp incoming delivery for 47.

On the stroke of lunch, Shakeel struck two more swift blows. Fawad Alam (9) was adjudged leg-before-wicket by umpire Riazuddin. TV replays suggested the ball had pitched marginally outside the left-hander’s leg stump, although the batsman motioned to the umpire that he got a nick onto the pad.

Younis, who possesses one of the shrewdest cricketing brains, sensed the kill when expertly placed a deep point for the swashbuckling Shahid Afridi. The Sindh captain inevitably fell into the trap by cutting Shakeel straight to Riffatullah after making 17.

Shakeel then disposed of Anwar and Danish Kaneria on consecutive deliveries and Sohail Khan was sent back by Samiullah Niazi for a duck. Sarfraz Ahmed, the wicket-keeper/batsman, did his best to reduce the margin of lead with a defiant unbeaten 34 that included five hits to the fence, but it was NWFP’s day all the way.

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