LAHORE: While Zarai Taraqiaiti Bank Limited (ZTBL) earned their first win against Khan Research Laboratory (KRL) after back-to-back defeats, Sui Northern Gas Pipe Lines (SNGPL) — in a contrasting manner — tasted their first defeat at the hands of Port Qasim Authority (PQA) after two consecutive wins in the third round of the President’s One-day Cup Pool ‘A’ match here on Tuesday.

A fine second-wicket partnership of 165 between opener Sharjeel Khan (90) and unbeaten Babar Azam (72) inspired ZTBL to register the first win by eight wickets against Khan Research Laboratories (KRL) at the LCCA ground after losing the first two matches to National Bank of Pakistan and SNGPL.

Chasing a gettable target of 201, Sharjeel hit 12 fours and two boundaries in his 84-balls knock of 90 while Babar cracked nine elegant strokes in his knock off 105 balls to achieve the target in just 36.2 overs.

When Sharjeel, who was later on declared Man-of-the-Match, was caught by Ali Nadeem off lanky paceman Mohammad Irfan, the target was just 10 runs away which Babar achieved with Haris Sohail (eight not out).

Babar and Sharjeel joined hands when opener Hussain Talat (12) cheaply lost his wicket to Irfan who finished with two for 38. Earlier, KRL were restricted to a low total of 200-9 in the stipulated 50 overs when they were asked to bat first having lost the toss.

The main damage to KRL innings was done by medium-fast Rao Iftikhar who captured three wickets for 39 in his 10 overs which also included three maiden overs. Slow left-arm spinner Zohaib Khan also took two wickets for 34 with Azizullah and Zafar Gohar grabbing one wicket each.

Only middle-order batsmen namely captain Saeed Ahmed Jr and Shoaib Ahmad Minhas tried to stabilise the innings which had to face problems at the onset with the KRL being 38-3.

Saeed contributed 101-ball 51 with six boundaries while Shoaib scored a 52-ball knock of 46 with five fours and one six giving some respectability to the total.

At the Gaddafi Stadium, lowly-rated PQA defeated SNGPL by four wickets thanks to a fine century by Test discard Khurram Manzoor, who made 115 off 110 balls.

PQA in their chase of 239 set by SNGPL romped home in 43.2 overs losing only six wickets.

Khurram who looks in terrific form as he also hit 94 against NBP played another big knock making the win possible despite receiving no solid support from the other end. Khurram hit strokes all over the ground with great ease completing his 20th first-class century before falling to medium-fast Zahoor Khan.

The other key scorer was Umer Amin who made 32 with the aid of four fours with Kamran Younus contributing unbeaten 20 with the help of one six and two fours. Asad Ali finished with two for 42 with Yasir Shah, Bilawal Bhatti and Mohammad Hafeez all taking one wicket each.

Earlier, Azhar Ali (95) and tail-ender Mohammad Rizwan (83) excelled when SNGPL was asked to bat first with their top batsmen like Test openers Mohammad Hafeez (0) and Taufeeq Umar (11) being removed by pacemen Abdul Rauf and Tanvir Ahmed as the total was just 22. Azhar also saw two key quick dismissals by paceman Mohammad Talha who first dismissed Umar Akmal (18) leg before and then had captain Misbah-ul-Haq (1) caught by Rauf leaving SNGPL tottering at 69-4.

Khurram Shahzad also fell cheaply to Umer Amin as SNGPL were in real trouble at 72-5.

However, Azhar found a reliable ally in Rizwan as they together started stabilising the innings.

Rizwan was finally sent back to the pavilion by Kamran Younus who had him caught by Khurram Manzoor for 91-ball 83 laced with nine boundaries.

Azhar remained unbeaten for 95 with six boundaries and one six. Unfortunately, he could not complete a century. Talha (2-45) and Umer (2-37) were the main wicket takers.

Summarised scores: At the LCCA ground, Lahore: ZTBL beat KRL by eight wickets.

KRL 200-9 in 50 overs (Saeed Anwar Jr 51, Shoaib Ahmad Minhas 46, Ali Nadeem Abbasi 24 not out, Yasir Arafat 23; Rao Iftikhar 3-39, Zohaib Khan 2-34); ZTBL 203-2 in 36.2 overs (Sharjeel Khan 90, Babar Azam 72 not out; Mohammad Irfan 2-38).

At Gaddafi Stadium: PQA beat SNGPL by four wickets.

SNGPL 238-7 in 50 overs (Azhar Ali 95 not out, Mohammad Rizwan 83; Mohammad Talha 2-45, Umer Amin 2-37); PQA 241-6 in 43.2 overs (Khurram Manzoor 115, Umer Amin 32, Kamran Younus 20; Asad Ali 2-42).