KARACHI, Oct 27: Afghanistan were facing innings defeat after Mardan sent them on a leather chase on the first day of the two-day Quaid-i-Azam Trophy Grade-II match at Gymkhana ground in Peshawar.

Batting first, Mardan rattled up 382 for five and then left Afghanistan tottering at 96 for eight in 30 overs.

Mardan opener Sajjad Ahmad slammed a 150-ball 126 and featured in a 81-run opening stand with Nair Zada who scored 27.

But the innings got the real impetus from Adnan Raees who hammered an undefeated 61-ball 101.

Allah Dad, who has been the most productive Afghanistan bowler, suffered the most when he went for 107 runs from his 18.2 wicketless overs. Daulat Khan snapped up three wickets for 64 runs from seven overs.

When Afghanistan batted, they were left guessing by Noor-ul-Amin who picked up four wickets for 25 runs. Adnan Raees bagged two for 14.

Alam Khan was fighting a lost battle when he was 38 not out at stumps. Daulat Khan (21) and Asif Hashmi (11) were the other batsmen to reach double figures.

In the last round matches in Pool A Group I, Larkana scored 286 for nine against Jacobabad who finished the day at 64 for one at the Asghar Ali Stadium.

At the Nawabshah Cricket Stadium, Nawabshah were dismissed for 203 in 60.5 overs by Shikarpur who ended the day at 89 for four.

In Peshawar, Abdul Salam’s unbeaten knock of 111 helped Fata to 293 for five against Abbottabad at Arbab Niaz Cricket Stadium.

In reply, Abbottabad were 80 for five in 23 overs.

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