LAHORE, Nov 24: A fighting knock from Zulfiqar Jan enabled the NWFP to make partial recovery Balochistan made early inroads on the opening day of the five-day RBS Pentangular Cup final at the Gaddafi Stadium here on Monday.

Zulfiqar, the tall wicket-keeper/batsman, made 83 to help his team recover from a precarious 81 for six to a more respectable 222 in their first innings after Balochistan skipper Misbah-ul-Haq, who won the toss, inserted the NWFP into bat on a lively track.

Abdur Rauf, the lanky Pakistan paceman, was the wrecker-in-chief with excellent figures of five for 72 in 21 hostile overs.

Balochistan lost opener Shoaib Khan Junior for four before reaching 24 for one at draw of stumps.

Left-arm seamer Kamran Hussain removed Yasir Hameed (3) and Riffatullah Mohmand (4) in his first spell before Rauf sent back Wajid (7) and Aftab Khan (4). Bilal Khilji then dismissed left-handed opener Adnan Raees for 24 via a fine running catch by Misbah in the deep gulley region to leave the NWFP in deep trouble at 56 for five. Shoaib Khan Senior, who batted for 83 minutes to score 12, and Zulfiqar added 25 until Rauf got rid Shoaib to put Balochistan in driving seat at that stage.

Despite the fall of those early wickets, Zulfiqar batted with freedom while sharing in two productive partnerships. Skipper Umar Gul helped him add 66 for the seventh wicket. And then Yasir Shah assisted Zulfiqar in putting on 64 for the eighth wicket to give respectability to the NWFP’s total.

Both Umar (29 off 57 balls, four fours) and Yasir (37 off 55 balls, five fours and one six) were caught by Saeed bin Nasir off Azharullah and Rauf, respectively.

Zulfiqar’s excellent 173-ball innings finally came to end when Rauf had caught behind by Gulraiz Sadaf. He slammed 10 boundaries while occupied the crease for 199 minutes.

Leg-spinner Zulfiqar Babar claimed the final wicket to in the NWFP innings when bowled Shakeel-ur-Rehman for one.

Scoreboard