KARACHI: After their demoralizing first-round defeat last week against Karachi Whites, United Bank Limited (UBL) hit back to post 288-6 in their first innings on the opening day of the Quaid-i-Azam Trophy National Cricket Championship Division II fixture against Hyderabad here on Wednesday.
Opener Ali Asad led the way by striking eight fours I his solid knock of 87 from 174 balls after Hyderabad elected to field first upon winning the toss at the UBL Sports Complex.
The talented left-hander shared in two century partnerships after the bankers lost Naveed Khan and Saad Surkhail for ducks. Ali added 103 with veteran Tahir Mughal (61 off 79 balls, 10 fours) and 118 with Mohammad Sami (63 off 124 balls, seven boundaries).
Karachi Whites, meanwhile, batted watchfully to total 228-4 against Quetta at the NBP Sports Complex after winning the toss.
Pakistan batsman Umar Akmal struck a fine 153 not out off just 147 deliveries to power SNGPL to 372-2 after Multan asked them to bat first at the Multan Cricket Stadium, Umar, who was ignored for the next week’s Test series against Sri Lanka in the UAE, bludgeoned 21 fours and three sixes while dominating the ongoing third-wicket stand of 216 with Ali Waqas (104 off 199 balls, 11 boundaries).
KRL put themselves in driving seat after dismissing Lahore Shalimar for mere 84 in their first innings at the LCCA Ground.
Slow left-armer Nayyar Abbas grabbed 5-31 in 15 overs, occasional left-arm spinner Saeed Anwar Jr took three without conceding a run.
By stumps, KRL had advanced to 140-1.
Meanwhile, Lahore Ravi reached 113-5 after bowling out hosts Peshawar for 190 at the Arbab Niaz Stadium. Before the game got under way, Fateha was held for Nauman Habib the Peshawar pace bowler who was found murdered the other day.Close of play scores (day one of four):
At UBL Spots Complex, Karachi: UNITED BANK 288-6 in 83 overs (Ali Asad 87, Mohammad Sami 63, Tahir Mughal 61; Mir Ali Talpur 3-61) v HYDERABAD.
At NBP Sports Complex, Karachi: KARACHI WHITES 228-4 in 83 overs (Akbar-ur-Rehman 49 not out, Murtaza Majeed 46, Saeed bin Nasir 45, Abdul Jabbar 42 not out) v QUETTA.
At LCCA Ground, Lahore: LAHORE SHALIMAR 84 in 42.1 overs (Nayyar Abbas 5-31, Saeed Anwar Jr 3-0); KRL 140-1 in 43 overs (Zain Abbas 67 not out, Bazid Khan 52 not out).
At Multan Cricket Stadium: SNGPL 372-2 in 83 overs (Umar Akmal 153 not out, Ali Waqas 104 not out, Azeem Ghumman 77) v MULTAN.
At Arbab Niaz Stadium, Peshawar: PESHAWAR 190 in 38.4 overs (Riaz Afridi 59, Gohar Ali 43; Emmad Ali 4-45); LAHORE RAVI 113-5 in 36 overs (Usman Salahuddin 46 not out, Mohammad Saad 43).
