KARACHI: A solid unbeaten century from opener Naeemuddin enabled the Sui Northern Gas Pipelines Limited (SNGPL) to set foundation for a long struggle for the United Bank Limited (UBL) bowlers on the opening day of the President’s Trophy final in Multan on Wednesday.

By stumps at the picturesque Multan Cricket Stadium, the SNGPL had reached 226-3 with the left-handed Naeemuddin batting on 117 and skipper Misbah-ul-Haq 42 in the unbroken partnership, which began shortly before tea, worth 95 runs thus far.

Misbah’s opposite number Atif Maqbool opted to bowl first upon winning the toss while sensing the early morning moisture would aid seamers. But it went contrary to that notion as both Naeemuddin and discarded Pakistan opener Taufiq Umar saw off the new ball without much trouble.

The UBL probably were ruing at not banking on Mohammad Irshad’s pace as they named Adil Raza in the playing XI. The strappy Irshad, once considered as a Pakistan prospect, was a surprise exclusion and would have gained on his ‘home’ territory since he was born in Khanewal.

It was not until after Atif had introduced himself that the UBL tasted some success. Taufiq, who hit five boundaries in an enterprising 32 off 40 balls, misjudged the length and got himself tangled as the ball struck his pad in front of the stumps with the total on 64.

Azhar Ali, one of the stars of Pakistan’s series-levelling Test win over Sri Lanka in Sharjah with that memorable 103, slammed successive boundaries off Atif before being brilliantly caught at short leg by Abid Ali on the very next ball for a 26-ball 12.

Ali Waqas, the third left-hander in the top four, was out of his depth throughout his 105-minute stay as he shared a partnership of 53 with a well-set Naeemuddin. Not even a lucky break could change his fortune when Saeed bin Nasir put down a possible chance at second slip off veteran all-rounder Tariq Haroon.

Ali was also extremely fortunate shortly after lunch when part-time spinner Mohammad Wajihuddin trapped him in front of the stumps but Ahsan Raza, the umpire on the ICC international panel, turned down the vociferous appeal contrary to what the TV replays indicated.

Tariq was finally rewarded for his perseverance when he induced Ali into top-edging a pull stroke which was nicely held by a running UBL wicket-keeper Mohammad Zohaib. Ali, who took as many as 61 deliveries to get into double figures, scored 21 off 92 balls with a solitary boundary.

Naeemuddin, SNGPL’s leading run-getter in the league stage with 539, kept the scoreboard ticking in his workmanlike style. Having reached the 50-run mark off 123 balls with six fours, the 32-year-old left-hander completed his ninth first-class hundred (255 balls, 13 fours and one six) shortly after the second new ball was taken after 82 overs.

Atif, easily the pick of UBL bowlers with 2-39 in 21 overs, kept Naeemuddin quiet although the 32-year-old off-spinner was once pulled for a six. Tariq (five in 75 balls) and Adil (six in 39) between them were struck for 11 boundaries by Naeemuddin, who has altogether slammed 16 fours and one six during his six-hour stay at the crease.

Misbah, as usual, remained as calm as ever at the beginning of his 315th inning in first-class cricket before opening up with a six in consecutive overs from slow left-armer Kashif Bhatti. The Pakistan Test and one-day captain had negotiated 110 balls while striking three fours apart from the brace of sixes.