KARACHI, Jan 2: Habib Bank Limited (HBL) made 232-6 in another sluggish start to their Quaid-i-Azam Trophy National Cricket Championship fixture against Pakistan Customs at the UBL Sports Complex here on Friday.

The bankers, who were thrashed by 171 runs against National Bank in the first round earlier this week, were in deep trouble at 42-4 after Customs skipper Bilal Shafayat invited them to bat first. But Younis Khan, the HBL captain, came to the rescue with a patient 71.

The star Pakistan batsman, who struck seven boundaries and one six in a stay of 202 minutes during which he faced 189 deliveries, was involved into two useful partnerships.

After Shahid Afridi was dismissed for a first-ball duck by slow left-armer Mohammad Hussain, Younis and Khaqan Arsal (42, six fours) added 78 for the fifth wicket. Off-spinner Murtaza Hussain got rid of Khaqan before Younis and Kamran Hussain put on 56 when Younis was bowled by medium-pacer Aamir Yousuf.

Kamran, still at the crease with 51, and wicket-keeper Farhan Iqbal however stayed firm until stumps in an unbroken stand of 56.

Test reject Asim Kamal struck 71 (117 balls, eight fours and one six) to help Karachi Whites reach 258 for eight after their skipper Khalid Latif was caught behind in the opening over of the match for a first-ball duck against SSGC at the Quaid-i-Azam Park in Steel Township. Opener Nasir Jamshed top-scored with 83 (10 fours and one six) as National Bank were bowled for 213 in their first-innings against PIA, who elected to field first at the NBP Sports Complex.

Young paceman Anwar Ali, fresh from his 10-wicket haul against Karachi Whites, picked up four for 81 for the national carrier who scored 52-2 in reply.

Meanwhile at the National Stadium, Karachi Blues were dismissed for 226 in their first innings against Sialkot, who were 53-2 at stumps.

Our Sports Reporter adds from Lahore: Only 48.3 overs were bowled on the first day of the match between Lahore Shalimar and Zarai Taraqiati Bank Limited (ZTBL) at the LCCA Ground because of inclement weather.

After being put into bat first, Lahore Shalimar were 95-2 when the game, which began at 11.00am, was stopped for the day at 3:00pm because of foggy conditions.

Similarly, a total of 66.2 overs could be sent down in the match being played at the Iqbal Stadium in Faisalabad where Hyderabad were all out for 179 in 50.2 overs. Faisalabad made a fine start in reply and reached 78 without loss at stumps.

Scores on Friday (day one of four):

Pool ‘A’:

At NBP Sports Complex, Karachi: NATIONAL BANK 213 in 65.1 overs (Nasir Jamshed 83; Anwar Ali 4-81); PIA 52-2 in 10.3 overs.

At Quaid-i-Azam Park, Karachi: KARACHI WHITES 258-8 in 83 overs (Asim Kamal 71; Mohammad Kashif Rana 4-92) v SSGC.

At UBL Sports Complex, Karachi: HABIB BANK 232-6 in 86 overs (Younis Khan 71, Kamran Hussain 51 not out) v PAKISTAN CUSTOMS.

At KRL Stadium, Rawalpindi: WAPDA 217-5 in 71.5 overs (Aamir Sajjad 78, Bilal Khilji 59 not out, Atiq-ur-Rehman 51) v KRL.

At LCCA Ground, Lahore: LAHORE SHALIMAR 95-2 in 48.3 overs v ZTBL.

Pool ‘B’:

At National Stadium, Karachi: KARACHI BLUES 226 in 67 overs Mohammad Hasan 62; Nayyar Abbas 4-41); SIALKOT 53-2 in 14 overs.

At Iqbal Stadium, Faisalabad: HYDERABAD 179 in 50.2 overs (Zulqarnain 4-66); FAISALABAD 78-0 in 16 overs.

At Diamond Club Ground, Islamabad: RAWALPINDI 257-7 in 81.1 overs (Awais Zia 81) v ABBOTTABAD.