KARACHI, Feb 15: Karachi Blues last pair stood firm for 15 minutes to deny Hyderabad their first victory in the Quaid Trophy Grade-I championship at KCCA Stadium Friday.
The home team, who were chasing 354 for victory, survived the final day to finish on 334 for nine with debutants Amin-ur-Rehman (9) and Azam Hussain (0) at the crease when they match ended at 4.50 pm.
Earlier, Farhan Adil notched up his third century of the season on his way to 104 off 134 deliveries. The young right-hander, who has now accumulated 994 runs in the season, slammed eight fours and one six in a stay of 217 minutes. He scored 84 in the first innings.
The Blues, who were 158 for four at the end of the three-hour morning session having started the day on 18 for no loss, were given a fine start of 97 by openers Saqib Zia (46 off 97 balls, five fours) and Ashraf Ali (45 off 71 balls, seven fours).
Young left-hander Atif Ali Zaidi also excelled on his debut. He followed his 50 in the first innings by making 54 off 136 balls with seven hits to the fence.
The pick of the visitors’ bowling attack was off-spinner Imran Alam. He dismissed Saqib, Atif and Farhan while giving away 74 runs in 25 overs for a match haul of seven for 115.
Hyderabad skipper Rizwan Ahmed also claimed seven wickets in the game but conceded 209 runs.
HYDERABAD (1st Innings) 309 (Akram Khan 106, Rizwan Ahmed 98; Mohammad Javed 4-42).
KARACHI BLUES (1st Innings) 250 (Farhan Adil 84, Atif Ali Zaidi 50; Rizwan Ahmed 5-93, Imran Alam 4-41).
HYDERABAD (2nd Innings) 294 (Imran Khan 120, Ijaz Shah 85; Riaz Shaikh 4-104).
KARACHI BLUES (2nd Innings, overnight 18-0):
Saqib Zia lbw b Imran Alam 46
Ashraf Ali c Faisal b Rizwan 45
Atif Ali Zaidi c Raees b Imran Alam 54
Farhan Adil c Naeem b Imran Alam 104
Wajid Ali run out 4
Mohammad Javed c Hanif b Rizwan 21
Riaz Shaikh run out 13
Mansoor Khan c Hanif b Raees 16
Amin-ur-Rehman not out 9
Rizwan Saeed c Hanif b Raees 9
Azam Hussain not out 0
EXTRAS (B-3, LB-2, W-2, NB-6) 13
TOTAL (for nine wkts, 90 overs) 334
BOWLING: Raees Amjad 21-2-94-2 (5nb); Naeem Akhtar 7-1-21-0 (1nb); Faisal Khanzada 8-3-24-0; Rizwan Ahmed 29-3-116-2 (1w); Imran Alam 25-6-74-3 (1w).
RESULT: Match drawn.
UMPIRES: Iftikhar Malik and Athar Zaidi.
MATCH REFEREE: Taslim Arif.