KARACHI Dethroned champions Sialkot failed to cash in on a century opening stand as they reached 316 against Group 'B' leaders Karachi Blues on the first day of the last-round matches in the RBS Quaid-i-Azam Trophy National Cricket Championship on Tuesday.
After being into bat by the stand-in Blues skipper Khalid Latif, Sialkot made a fine start as captain Kamran Younis and Hafiz Majid Jahangir shared a partnership of 126 before the latter departed for 38.
Kamran looked in prime form as he struck 17 fours and one six in a run-a-ball knock of 107.
But once he went, Karachi Blues hit back through their in-form paceman Tanvir Ahmed who once again nudged the national selectors with 4-102 to extend his haul of wickets to 72 in the ongoing championship.
Adnan Butt was the only other Sialkot batsman to make a worthy contribution — a painstaking 41. Tariq Haroon provided good support to Tanvir by claiming 3-88. The Blues batted one over without scoring.
Meanwhile, Mohammad Rameez captured eight wickets in an innings for the second time this season to help Rawalpindi rout hosts Multan for a paltry 108.
The 19-year-old right-arm promising paceman finished with 8-46. Rawalpindi were 54-2 at draw of stumps.
Rizwan Ahmed (113 off 144 balls, 17 fours and one six) and skipper Saeed bin Nasir (74 off 98 balls, 11 fours and one six) helped Sui Southern Gas Company score 293 in their first innings after being asked to bat first by Karachi Whites at the Southend Cricket Club Stadium. The Whites replied with 16-1.
Our Sports Reporter adds from Lahore Habib Bank's preparations for next week's final in Karachi suffered badly as they crashed to a poor 141 all out in their first innings against Lahore Shalimar at the Gaddafi Stadium.
Lahore Shalimar, seeking their first win this season, reduced the bankers to 30-7 after Hasan Raza took the bold step of batting first after winning the toss in wintry conditions.
All-rounder Kamran Hussain (54) saved his side an embarrassing capitulation as he and Irfan Fazil (38) together put on 97 priceless runs for the eighth wicket. These two were the only batsmen to reach double figures.
The wrecker-in-chief was the 20-year-old medium-pacer Hasan Dar who returned excellent figures of 7-53 in only his sixth first-class match. Mohammad Naved chipped in with 3-38.
Lahore Shalimar completed a good day's work by finishing on 79-1 with opener Abid Ali (52) leading their reply.
