KARACHI, Feb 17: A captain’s knock of 82 by former Test opener Ali Naqvi helped Khan Research Laboratories (KRL) reach 157 for three on a rain-hit opening day of the Quaid-i-Azam National Cricket Championship final against PIA at National Stadium here on Monday.

Put into bat by PIA skipper Moin Khan, KRL did well to lose only three wickets in damp conditions favouring the bowlers.

Right-handed Ali Naqvi, who was out of sort in the previous games, made a welcome return to form for the domestic season’s showpiece, which this year is overshadowed by the ongoing World Cup in southern Africa.

Ali struck 15 sweetly-timed boundaries in his 155-ball innings in a stay of 224 minutes. Giving him company at stumps was another Test reject, the in-form Misbah-ul-Haq, who is batting on 19.

Ali and Misbah have so far added 40 for the unbroken fourth-wicket stand.

Almost two hours’ play was washed out because of a thunderstorm which hit the city half an hour after the lunch break at 1.12pm. The match, which also started 30 minutes late due to overnight showers which left the outfield damp, resumed at 3.40pm.

Ali and Mohammad Ramzan, yet another Test discard, gave KRL a confident start against the pace trio of Najaf Shah, Umar Gul and Test speedster Mohammad Zahid by putting on 76 for the opening partnership.

Ramzan was trapped lbw by Zahid for 20, which included three boundaries.

Then it was left-armer Najaf Shah’s turn to strike. Saeed Anwar Jr (5) missed an inswinger and was adjudged lbw by umpire Riazuddin.

With score at 117, Saeed bin Nasir also fell perished to an lbw decision to Najaf for 16.