KARACHI, Oct 26: A tense battle for first-innings lead is on the cards after Sindh reached 288 for seven against Federal Areas on another absorbing day of action in the RBS Pentangular Cup fixture at the National Stadium on Sunday.

After a dogged last-wicket stand of 61 between Saturday’s batting hero Usman Saeed and Shoaib Akhtar had given Federal Areas a decent total of 322, Sindh battled hard to finish the second day 34 runs behind their opponents with three wickets still intact.

Federal Areas, with Shoaib Akhtar spearheading a four-pronged pace attack, are in pole position to claim lead on the first innings since the second new ball is only two overs away.

Sindh, on the other hand, will be depending on all-rounder Rizwan Ahmed, the last of the recognized batsmen who is batting with 40, a 61-ball knock that includes six boundaries.

Shoaib, playing only his third first-class match since February this year, seldom found rhythm as he bowled only nine overs in four brief spells. The fast bowler, however, drew the first blood when Khalid Latif deflected a short ball onto the stumps off his elbow. Khalid (33 off 46 balls, six fours) and fellow opener Khurram Manzoor combined well to put on 60.

Naumanullah and Khurram, who was shaping well, were victims of sort dismissals as both were caught down the leg-side by Bazid Khan, deputizing for regular wicket-keeper Naeem Anjum who was suddenly taken ill during light training after stumps on day one.Khurram provided occasional medium-pacer Umar Amin a maiden first-class wicket after striking nine boundaries in his 132-ball 59.

Faisal Iqbal looked solid. But having reached 32 (three boundaries), he played onto Federal Areas skipper Rao Iftikhar.

Sindh captain Shahid Afridi made just 17 before Sohail Tanvir had him caught behind. Fawad Alam was trapped leg-before-wicket by the same bowler for a 62-ball 34 that included four hits to the fence.

Rizwan found a trusted ally in Sarfraz Ahmed, who together put on 51 vital runs before the wicket-keeper/batsman was adjudged LBW to Rao Iftikhar for a breezy 36 (33 balls, five fours).

Earlier, Usman carried his overnight score of 103 to 136 when Afridi had Shoaib caught for 18, Usman’s long stay spanned 318 minutes. His 237-ball knock was laced with 17 fours and one six.

Scoreboard