LAHORE, March 5 Despite a late fightback by Khan Research Laboratories (KRL), Sialkot still managed to take a handy 90-run lead on the first innings on the third day of the Quaid-i-Azam Trophy National Cricket Championship final at the Jinnah Stadium in Sialkot on Thursday.

Replying to KRL's 296, Sialkot reached 386 even after losing their last eight wickets for just 63 runs with opener Naeemuddin scoring a patient century. Off-spinner Saeed Ajmal, who was a surprise omission from the Pakistan squad for the now postponed tour of Bangladesh, grabbed five wickets on Thursday.

KRL, however, made a sluggish start to their second innings and lost left-handed opener Saeed Anwar Junior in reaching 15-1 in 11 overs.

Resuming at 189-1, Sialkot made good progress until they reached 323 for two. But a batting collapse saw their lead dramatically reduced as Saeed made inroads with good support from part-timer Ali Naqvi. The former Test opener, who bowls gentle medium-pacers, claimed three wickets for 28, including that of Naeemuddin.

Naeemuddin, the 27-year-old left-hander from Gujranwala, added 65 to his overnight tally of 70. His marathon 426-minute knock — which spanned 280 balls and included 18 boundaries — came to end when he was caught behind by Zulfiqar Jan for 135.

Bilal Azmat (40, seven fours) helped Naeemuddin put on 80 for the third wicket. Skipper Ayub Dogar hit nine fours in scoring 43 during an invaluable fourth-wicket stand of 90 with Naeemuddin.

Saeed, who had figures of 0-58 in 17 overs on Wednesday, finished with a creditable return of five for 105 in 38.4 overs.

Scoreboard

KRL (1st Innings) 299 (Azhar Ali 99, Ali Khan 42).

SIALKOT (1st Innings, overnight 189-1)

Kamran Younis b Junaid 86

Naeemuddin c Zulfiqar b Ali Naqvi 135

Bilal Azmat c Zulfiqar b Yasir 40

Ayub Dogar b Ali Naqvi 43

Ayaz Tasawwar c Ali Khan b Saeed Ajmal 11

Haris Sohail c Azhar b Saeed Ajmal 19

Nayyar Abbas lbw b Saeed Ajmal 19

Bilawal Bhatti st Zulfiqar b Saeed Ajmal 3

Naved Arif b Saeed Ajmal 0

Ahmed Butt c and b Ali Naqvi 0

Sarmad Anwar not out 1

EXTRAS (B-12, LB-7, W-1, NB-9) 29

TOTAL (all out, 122.4 overs) 386

FALL OF WKTS 1-150, 2-233, 3-323, 4-330, 5-351, 6-375, 7-382, 8-383, 9-384.

BOWLING Jaffar Nazir 18-4-66-0 (2nb, 1w); Junaid Khan 20-4-68-1; Yasir Ali 25-4-72-1 (3nb); Saeed Ajmal 38.4-12-105-5; Mohammad Wasim 1-0-8-0; Saeed Anwar Jr 4-0-8-0; Ali Khan 3-0-12-0; Ali Naqvi 13-2-28-3.

KRL (2nd Innings)

Saeed Anwar Jr c Ahmed b Naved 2

Azhar Ali not out 11

Zulfiqar Jan not out 0

EXTRAS (W-1, NB-1) 2

TOTAL (for one wkt, 11 overs) 15

FALL OF WKT 1-15.

BOWLING (to-date) Naved Arif 6-3-4-1 (1w); Sarmad Anwar 5-1-11-0 (1nb).