KARACHI, Oct 9: United Bank enjoyed a rare good day as they dismissed the formidable PIA outfit for a modest first-innings total of 214 on the opening day of their second-round President’s Trophy Grade-I National Cricket Championship fixture at the UBL Sports Complex here on Tuesday.

The bankers, who were almost relegated to non-first-class following a dismal last season, had PIA reeling at 150-7 after skipper Shabbir Ahmed opted to field first at the toss.

PIA, missing their in-form Pakistan batsman Faisal Iqbal who sustained a finger injury against State Bank last week, soon found themselves in trouble with Agha Sabir, skipper Kamran Sajid, Shaharyar Ghani, Fahad Iqbal and Shoaib Khan all falling cheaply.

Opener Shahzar Mohammad, son of ex-Pakistan batsman Shoaib and grandson of the legendary Test opening batsman Hanif Mohammad made 69 off 116 deliveries with six boundaries before wicket-keeper Sarfraz Ahmed struck a breezy 105-ball 75 with the aid of 11 fours to provide some respectability to the total.

The wickets were evenly shared with slow left-armer Kashif Bhatti, who bagged 10 wickets against Port Qasim Authority (PQA) last week, claimed three for 51 in 24.1 overs.

Openers Imran Ali and Abid Ali then negotiated six overs without being separated to cap a fine day for United Bank.

PQA squandered a good start against State Bank to find themselves struggling at 203-8 after captain Khalid Latif won the toss at the National Stadium.

Pakistan discards Khurram Manzoor (30) and Shahzaib Hasan (60) added 78 in their opening partnership before State Bank skipper Kashif Siddique dismissed the former just before lunch. PQA lost Kamran Younis early before Shahzaib and Umar Amin carried the score 131.

Shahzaib departed after striking eight boundaries in an uncharacteristically 150-ball knock lasting 194 minutes. Slow left-armer Hasan Mahmood put his team in a strong position with four wickets, including that of Umar Amin for exactly 50 (92 balls, six fours).

Off-spinner Adnan Rasool proved good foil for Hasan with three wickets for 69 runs in 37 overs. Hasan has thus far taken 4-49 in 24 overs with PQA’s last hopes of a decent score depending on ex-Test stumper Mohammad Salman who is batting on 28.

Left-handed opener Sharjeel Khan stroked a belligerent century to rescue Zarai Taraqiati Bank Limited (ZTBL) from a perilous 49-4 to a healthy 291-7 at draw of stumps against National Bank at the Jinnah Stadium in Sialkot.

Skipper Yasir Hameed, who won the toss, went for a second-ball duck after Sharjeel and Afaq Raheem put on 47 for the opening wicket. Former Test player Yasir was caught behind by Kamran Akmal off paceman Uzair-ul-Haq who then accounted for Babar Azam and Inam-ul-Haq as well in an inspired burst which earned him four wickets.

Sharjeel, who slammed 19 fours and three sixes in his 104-ball contribution of 121, combined with Atif Ashraf (79 off 137 balls, seven boundaries) in a decisive stand of 121 for the fifth wicket.

All-rounder Zohaib Khan carried on the good work done by Sharjeel and Atif to strike an unbeaten 45. Uzair finished the day with figures of four for 58 in 14 overs.

Pakistan Test captain Misbah-ul-Haq, making his first appearance in the new season after spending the last several weeks as a TV expert during the ICC World Twenty20, was out for a golden duck as Sui Northern Gas Pipelines Limited (SNGPL) battled to 243-8 after being asked to bat first by Khan Research Laboratories (KRL) skipper Zulfiqar Jan at the Iqbal Stadium in Faisalabad.

After Pakistan Twenty20 skipper Mohammad Hafeez (68 off 154 balls, 10 boundaries) and Test batsman Azhar Ali (49 off 123 balls, four fours and one six) were involved in a second-wicket partnership of 105, Misbah was trapper in front of the stumps by discarded Pakistan pacer Yasir Ali, who took three wickets as did lanky left-arm speedster Mohammad Irfan.

Despite invaluable contributions from Shan Masood (94 off 186 balls, 16 boundaries) and Usman Salahuddin (74 off 198 balls, 10 fours and one six), Habib Bank allowed Wapda to take honours in their fixture at the Gaddafi stadium in Lahore.

Having lost the toss, Habib Bank were heading for a big total at 214-2 but the departure of Shan, who together with Usman put on 149 for the third wicket, saw them lose five wickets in the space of just 14 runs.

Wapda’s star performer was Junaid Khan. The Test left-arm paceman, who has so far snared five for 68 in 20 overs, was also responsible for forcing a well-set Usman to retire hurt with the total on 225-3. Usman was struck a painful blow on his elbow as he attempted to take evasive action to an awkward delivery which rose sharply.

Close of play scores on Tuesday (day one of four):

At National Stadium, Karachi: PORT QASIM AUTHORITY 203-8 in 85 overs (Shahzaib Hasan 60, Umar Amin 50; Hasan Mahmood 4-49, Adnan Rasool 3-69) v STATE BANK.

At UBL Sports Complex, Karachi: PIA 214 in 78.1 overs (Sarfraz Ahmed 75, Shahzar Mohammad 69; Kashif Bhatti 3-51); UNITED BANK 16-0 in 6 overs.

At Gaddafi Stadium, Lahore: HABIB BANK 243-7 in 83 overs (Shan Masood 94, Usman Salahuddin 74; Junaid Khan 5-68) v WAPDA.

At Iqbal Stadium, Faisalabad: SNGPL 243-8 in 82.3 overs (Mohammad Hafeez 68, Azhar Ali 49; Yasir Ali 3-34, Mohammad Irfan 3-46) v KRL.

At Jinnah Stadium, Sialkot: ZTBL 291-7 in 82.3 overs (Sharjeel Khan 121, Atif Ashraf 72, Zohaib Khan 45 not out; Uzair-ul-Haq 4-58).