LAHORE: Bowlers dominated on the opening day of the Quaid-i-Azam Trophy second round that started in different cities on Friday.

In eight out of nine matches, the teams were dismissed by their opponents. Overall, two centuries were recorded in the day, one by Multan’s Uzair Mumtaz and the other by Mohammad Taha of Karachi Blues while bowling honours were shared among Karachi Whites’ Mohammad Asghar, Rawalpindi’s Mohammad Awais Anwar of Rawalpindi and Fata’s Shahid Aziz.

Uzair struck 115 and Sharoon Siraj scored 71 as Multan totalled for 260 in 78 overs against Karachi Whites at the Ashfaq Cricket Ground, Sirdheri in Charsadda. Karachi Whites’ Mohammad Asghar bagged five wickets for 82. At stumps, Karachi Whites were 24 for one.

Mohammad Taha smashed 123 for Karachi Blues who were knocked out for 220 by Lahore Blues as Nisar Ahmed, Hunain Shah and Mohammad Rizwan claimed three wickets apiece.

The best bowling performance of the day was produced by Shahid, who returned superb figures of 15.1-8-24-7 to help Fata bundle out Dera Murad Jamali for 170 at the Rana Naveed-ul-Hasan Academy Stadium in Shiekhupura. At stumps, Fata had reached 73-1.

Mohammad Awais Anwar was the star performer for Rawalpindi when he picked up five wickets for 29 runs as Azad Jammu and Kashmir were sent packing for 82.

At close, Rawalpindi were 139 for four, eyeing their first win following a draw.

In Islamabad, Larkana were dismissed for 140 with Islamabad finishing the day at 186 for four at the Diamond Cricket Ground.

Lahore Whites were bowled out for 219 by Hyderabad who were 139 for three at stumps at the Marghzar Cricket Ground in Islamabad.

Abbottabad rode on Khalid Usman’s 73 not out, Ahmed Khan’s 65, Mohammad Ali’s 58 not out and Shujah Zaheer’s 56 to reach 302 for six against Faisalabad at the National Ground in Islamabad.

Maaz Sadaqat scored 96 and Waqar Ahmed made 63 to help Peshawar post 301 before Bahawalpur fought back to reach 56 for one at close at the Abbottabad Cricket Stadium in Abbottabad.

Abdul Wahid Bangalzai top-scored with 85 for Quetta who were dismissed for 263 by Sialkot at the Multan Cricket Stadium as Salman Aslam, Amad Butt and Usama Mir sharing eight wickets among them.

Published in Dawn, November 2nd, 2024