KARACHI, Jan 2: Spinner Atif Maqbool grabbed a six-wicket haul as Karachi Whites dominated the opening day’s play in their second-round Faysal Bank Quaid-i-Azam Trophy National Cricket Championship fixture against Abbottabad at the NBP Sports Complex here on Wednesday.
The 31-year-old off-spinner returned career-best figures of six for 60 in 25 overs to send Abbottabad wobbling to 146 all out in their first innings after the visitors’ skipper Yasir Hameed opted to bat first after winning the toss.
The Whites, who suffered a humiliating 10-wicket drubbing against Lahore Shalimar in the opening round just three days ago at the National Stadium, reached 79-1 in reply after openers Khalid Latif (43 not out) and Saad Ali (34) provided the hosts a fine 73-run start.
Abbottabad, in fact, got to a good beginning with Waqar Orakzai (24) and Hammad Ali (37) safely saw off the new-ball pairing of Whites captain Mohammad Sami and Mir Hamza to put on 61 for the opening wicket. But once the spinners came into action, thebatsmen found it tough going, although Sami took a brace during the mid-innings mayhem.
Slow left-armer Faraz Ahmed Khan bagged two for 35 and Sami 2-24.
Karachi Blues were 85-3 at the National Stadium after bundling out Peshawar for a modest first-innings total of 166. Mohammad Waqas struck a breezy 50-ball 44 with the aid of eight boundaries after the Blues lost in-form Khurram Manzoor (16) and Behram Khan (0) in the space of three deliveries to ex-Test paceman Riaz Afridi.
All-rounder Tariq Haroon claimed four for 43 with his brisk medium-pacers while discarded Test paceman Tanvir Ahmed took three for 83 after Blues captain Faisal Iqbal asked Peshawar to bat first upon winning the toss. With wickets falling at regularintervals, the visitors were unable to have decent partnership barring one when Sajjad Ahmed Jan (34) and wicket-keeper/batsman Mohammad Rizwan (32) added 48 for the sixth wicket.
Slow left-armer Azam Hussain provided good support to Tanvir and Tariq with two wickets for five runs.
Rawalpindi had the better of the first day at the Niaz Stadium in Hyderabad where hosts were all out for 177 in their first innings after skipper Aqeel Anjum decided to bat first at the toss.
Aqeel, however, later left to rue his decision as Hyderabad nosedived to 77-6. All-rounder Mir Ali Talpur hit a defiant 77 from only 94 balls to ensure the home side got a fighting total in the end. Ali’s knock included 10 boundaries.
Left-arm seamer Sadaf Hussain claimed five wickets for 25 runs in 19.1 overs to make a memorable return to competitive after almost 10 months of inactivity because of a serious injury. The 23-year-old Chakwal-born picked up three of the first five wickets before taking two more to bag his 14th five-for in his 30th first-class appearance.
Nasir Malik, also a left-am quickie, captured three for 61.
Opener Naved Malik then slammed six fours and one six in making a 54-ball 39 before getting out as Rawalpindi went to stumps at 51-1.
Only 57 overs of play was possible at the Diamond Club Ground. After electing to bat first against hosts Islamabad, Lahore Ravi struggled to 186-9 with skipper Adnan Akmal (63 not out off 116 balls with eight fours) and Jahangir Mirza (54 off 105, seven boundaries) adding 87 for the fifth wicket.
Medium-pacer Shehzad Azam Rana took four for 50 to emerge as the most successful bowler with left-arm spearhead Nasrullah Khan capturing two early wickets.
Two matches in the championship will start from Thursday with Multan hosting Quetta at the Multan Cricket Stadium and Lahore Shalimar entertaining Bahawalpur at the LCCA Ground.
Close of play scores on Wednesday (day one of four):Group-I:At National Stadium, Karachi: PESHAWAR 166 in 50.2 overs (Sajjad Ahmed Jan 34, Mohammad Rizwan 32; Tariq Haroon 4-43, Tanvir Ahmed 3-83, Azam Hussain 2-5); KARACHI BLUES 85-3 in 26 overs (Mohammad Waqas 44; Riaz Afridi 2-29).
At Diamond Club Ground, Islamabad: LAHORE RAVI 186-9 in 57 overs (Adnan Akmal 63 not out, Jahangir Mirza 54, Irfan Haider 31; Shehzad Azam Rana 4-50, Nasrullah Khan 2-22). Group-II:
At NBP Sports Complex, Karachi: ABBOTTABAD 146 in 61.2 overs (Hammad Ali Shah 37, Adnan Raees 27; Atif Maqbool 6-60, Mohammad Sami 2-24, Faraz Ahmed Khan 2-35); KARACHI WHITES 79-1 in 22 overs (Khalid Latif 43 not out, Saad Ali 34). At Niaz Stadium, Hyderabad: HYDERABAD 177 in 59.1 overs (Mir Ali Talpur 70, Nauman Ali 28; Sadaf Hussain 5-25, Nasir Malik 3-61); RAWALPINDI 51-1 in 18 overs (Naved Malik 39).