Pink Ball To Be Used in Quaid-E-Azam Trophy Final

Pakistan domestic news

ESPNcricinfo staff

December 13, 2011

The Division One final of the Quaid-e-Azam Trophy, Pakistan's first-class tournament, will be played with a pink ball, under floodlights, the Pakistan Cricket Board has said. The final of last year's tournament was also held under floodlights but was played with an orange ball.

Last year, the two teams in the final, Habib Bank Limited and Pakistan International Airlines, practised with both an orange and pink ball before the match. The decision to play with the orange ball was made after receiving inputs from both teams.

This year, however, the PCB has decided to use the pink ball in the final, which will be played from December 20-24 at the National Stadium in Karachi, after receiving advice from the ICC.

The QEA final will become part of ongoing trials to determine whether Test match cricket can be played under lights, and what ball will be most suited to a day-night Test match. Earlier this year a County Championship match between Kent and Glamorgan at Canterbury was played with a pink ball. The MCC versus Champion County match, which has been staged in Abu Dhabi for the last two seasons, has also been played under floodlights with the pink ball and the 2012 edition will be played under the same conditions.

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Sami stars as Karachi Blues dominate Faisalabad

Quaid-e-Azam Trophy Division One 2011-12, 8th round, 2nd day

ESPNcricinfo staff

November 25, 2011

Mohammad Sami starred with both bat and ball to earn Karachi Blues a big lead against Faisalabad at the Iqbal Stadium in Faisalabad. Sami hit an unbeaten 61 off 46 deliveries to lift Karachi from 236 for 7 to 338. He was supported by Tanvir Ahmed who made 41. Sami clubbed seven fours and four sixes before Abdur Rauf ended the Karachi innings. Sami led the way with the ball as well, demolishing the top order with a three-wicket burst. Faisalabad never recovered from 22 for 3 and despite Zeeshan Butt's 92 and the 26 byes conceded by Karachi, were bowled out for 231, a deficit of 107. Karachi reached 13 without loss by the end of the day.

State Bank of Pakistan took control as Saad Altaf and Mohammad Naved blew away Habib Bank Limited for 144 at the Diamond Club Ground in Islamabad. The duo shared nine wickets between them to earn their side a 60-run lead, with only opener Shan Masood (52) and Khaqan Arsal (40) managing to resist for Habib Bank. But for their sixth-wicket stand of 66, Habib Bank would have struggled even more, having been reduced to 65 for 5. Altaf ended with 5 for 63 while Arsal had 4 for 24. State Bank consolidated their position in the second innings with Rameez Raja's aggressive fifty helping them to 77 for 2, an overall lead of 137. Opener Waqar Orakzai remained unbeaten on 7 off 63 deliveries.

Sialkot were in danger of sliding to an innings defeat against Rawalpindi, managing 97 as Mohammad Rameez ran through their line-up at Rawalpindi Cricket Stadium. Rameez picked up five wickets, including the top three, as no Sialkot batsman managed more than 20. He was supported well by the other Rawalpindi bowlers, who gave Sialkot no respite as their innings lasted only 31.5 overs. Babar Naeem's century had earlier taken Rawalpindi just past 400. Last man Sadaf Hussain contributed a quick 20. Rawalpndi enforced the follow-on after Sialkot collapsed but the visitors started much better, reaching 63 without loss at stumps.

Abbottabad were struggling against Islamabad, having lost six wickets for 191 in pursuit of the visitors' 337 at the Abbottabad Cricket Stadium. All Abbottabad batsmen except opener Fawad Khan got to starts but no one made more than 36 as they lost regular wickets. In contrast, Islamabad stretched their first innings to 337, riding on Zohaib Ahmed's 80 and No. 10 Fakhar Hussain's unbeaten 39. Resuming on 254 for 7, Islamabad added a further 83 runs. Khalid Usman was the most successful bowler for Abbottabad with 3 for 53.

Mohammad Talha ripped through the Pakistan International Airlines line-up with a career-best seven-for, earning National Bank of Pakistan a narrow lead at the Jinnah Stadium in Sialkot. Talha put PIA under pressure right away, striking four times early. Fahad Iqbal and Anop Santosh made fifties to get the innings back on track. PIA were 238 for 8, needing 11 to take the lead, but Talha ended the innings on the same score, finishing with 7 for 77. Umaid Asif had earlier been responsible for taking NBP from 203 for 9 to 248 with an unbeaten 41. NBP ended the day on 14 for 1, losing Khurram Manzoor in the first over.

Zarai Taraqiati Bank Limited consolidated their strong position against Water and Power Development Authority at the National Ground in Islamabad, taking a handy lead of 123. Despite the early loss of Imran Nazir for 4, Sharjeel Khan, Yasir Hameed and Haris Sohail chipped in with fifties to take ZTBL comfortably past WAPDA's 197. Imran Khan mopped up the lower order, taking 5 for 61 while Zulfiqar Babar ended with three wickets. WAPDA reached 11 without loss at stumps.

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Kaneria Took Seven Wickets In HBL Victory

Quaid-e-Azam Trophy, Division One, 4th round, 3rd day

ESPNcricinfo staff

October 27, 2011

A seven-wicket haul by Danish Kaneria, the Pakistan legspinner, took Habib Bank Limited to an innings-and-27-run victory over Islamabad at the Diamond Club Ground in Islamabad. Kaneria, who is battling to gain clearance to play for the national team, now has 23 wickets in the season, including three five-wicket hauls, and HBL have three wins out of four games. Islamabad were already on the ropes at the start of the third day, having conceded a 293-run first-innings lead when they were bowled out for 108 on the second day. Their top order put up a better fight following on, and they reached 107 before losing their first wicket.

Fahad Masood, who had five wickets in the first innings, made the initial breakthrough and then Kaneria took over. A flurry of wickets left Islamabad 197 for 7 before a 65-run eighth-wicket partnership between Imad Wasim, who scored 47, and Shehzad Azam. That stand only delayed the inevitable, though, and Islamabad were bowled out for 266. Umair Khan had given the hosts brief hope of salvaging something from the game with his 96, but the rest of the batting did not do enough to erase the huge first-innings deficit.

Offspinner Tahir Khan and fast bowler Ali Imran took seven wickets between them, as Pakistan International Airlines notched up their first victory of the season, against Karachi Blues at the National Stadium in Karachi. Karachi could only add 11 runs to their first-innings overnight score of 136 for 8, leaving them 303 runs behind. PIA enforced the follow-on and Karachi lost wickets steadily to fold for 254. Javed Mansoor scored 84, but Karachi's highest partnership was worth just 53. Imran, who had taken four wickets in the first innings, added another three, while Tahir took four.

Left-arm quick Saad Altaf's second five-wicket haul in as many games gave State Bank of Pakistan an easy win against Abbottabad at the Abbottabad Cricket Stadium. The hosts' bowlers brought them back into the game, taking eight wickets for 96 runs on the third day to leave SBP with a first-innings lead of just 61 when it looked like they would have more after reaching 250 for 2 on the second. However, Abbottabad's batsmen wasted that comeback by getting skittled for 106 in their second innings. Altaf ran through Abbottabad's line-up, finishing with 6 for 36, and was supported by seamer Rizwan Haider, who took 3 for 24. That left SBP with a meagre target of 46 and they got there with eight wickets in hand. Abbottabad have now lost all four of the matches they have played this season.

Faisalabad's batsmen managed to resist National Bank of Pakistan on the third day at the Iqbal Stadiumin Faisalabad, and ended it with four wickets still in hand in their first innings and a draw looking the most likely result. Faisalabad's aim was always going to be to try to save the game after NBP declared their first innings on 539 for 4, and they made fair progress towards achieving that goal on the third day. Most of Faisalabad's top order made contributions though none went on to get a big score. Opener Farrukh Shehzad and Zeeshan Butt got half-centuries while Asif Hussain scored 47. A few wickets late in the day gave NBP some hope of forcing a win but they will need to take 14 wickets on the last day.

Rawalpindi keep the edge in their fight against Zarai Taraqiati Bank Limited at Rawalpindi Cricket Stadium, despite the collapse of 162 on the third day. ZTBL lost a few wickets early in their pursuit of 255 and their batsmen will have to retrieve the last day if they should stop Rawalpindi to make a first win of the season. Fifteen wickets fell throughout the day, ZTBL lost their last three first rounds of cost prior to dismissal by the 162nd Rawalpindi

Left-arm marine Mohammad Khalil lived in the top of the charts wicket-taking season, taking three wickets in second innings Rawalpindi, while the sailors Rehan Riaz was also collected three. Rawalpindi to top gave them a solid platform, but they have fallen from 96 to 2 It gave hope ZTBL, but two strikes from left-arm fast bowler Sadaf Hussain, who took six wickets in the first innings, the left in a precarious position at 37 for 2 people.

Water and Energy Development are in danger of losing their 100% record for the season after Sialkot has made a comeback through a double Mohammad Ayub Jinnah Stadium in Sialkot percent. Guests had to overcome a first-round deficit of 157 sleeves and began the third day on 153 for 4. Ayub said the total reached as large as needed in their second innings to leave WAPDA 240 runs to win. Sialkot then made a couple of early breakthroughs, and WAPDA have to recover from 38 to 2 to win on the last day.

Ayub was adrift 200 242 balls, and took him to the second season run-charts. His 198-run stand for the captain, Mansoor Amjad, who made 97, helped to raise 396 Sialkot WAPDA was difficult to deal with 14 overs at the end of the day and ended up losing two wickets fast bowler Mohammad Abbas.

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Misbah Khan stars in UBL Win

Quaid-e-Azam Trophy, Division Two, 2nd round, 4th day

ESPNcricinfo staff

October 15, 2011

United Bank Limited eased to a nine-wicket win over Hyderabad at the Niaz Stadium in Hyderabad. Hyderabad were always up against it, following on after conceding a big lead, but their batsmen showed some promise the second time round in what was a more collective batting display. However, despite getting starts, they couldn't push on and were all out for 197. Each of the top eight batsmen reached double-figures but the highest score among them was just 42, by Lal Kumar. Misbah Khan picked up five wickets with his off-spin and was supported by Kashif Bhatti, who took three. UBL needed just 12 to win and they achieved the win with the loss of one wicket.

Fahad-ul-Haq could only do so much for Lahore Shalimar. He eventually fell for 194 after keeping the Khan Research Laboratories bowlers at bay in an epic innings, but it wasn't enough to prevent his team's defeat at the Gaddafi Stadium in Lahore. Lahore had been trailing by 253 runs in the first innings and managed 327 in the second thanks largely to Fahad's century. Asif Raza made 40 down the order and Adnan Raza scored a half-century, but a lead of 54 is all Lahore could get. Rahat Ali and Junaid Ilyas split four wickets each and Lahore could only add 44 more to their overnight score. KRL reached their target in the 16th over after losing two wickets.

Sui Northern Gas Pipelines Limited thrashed Multan by an innings and 153 runs at the Multan Cricket Stadium. Defeat seemed inevitable for Multan after they had been reduced to 132 for 6 at stumps on the third day; they were bowled out for 151 on the fourth. Bilawal Bhatti took 5 for 39 to hand his team a massive win.

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Shehzad Ton Takes HBL to Victory

Quaid-e-Azam Trophy, Division One, 2nd round, 4th day

ESPNcricinfo staff

October 15, 2011

Ahmed Shehzad scored a sparkling century to help Habib Bank Limited clinch a three-wicket win over Abbottabad while chasing 368 at the Abbottabad Cricket Stadium. HBL began the day with all ten wickets intact and Shehzad approached the task with aggression, smashing 161 in 162 balls, including 26 fours and a six. He added a decisive 234 for the opening wicket with Shan Masood, who was the calmer, more sedate of the two partners. Their stand set up the foundation for a win. Abbottabad, however, made inroads and would have sensed the possibility of a victory at 337 for 7. But Hasan Raza remained unbeaten on 36 while Danish Kaneria made an quickfire 32 to help his team seal victory.

Water and Power Development Authority completed the formalities on the final day, beating Faisalabad by seven wickets at the Sports Stadium in Sargodha. They had been resting easy at 205 for 3 overnight, chasing 260, and Aamer Sajjad and captain Naved-ul-Hasan ensured there was no damage done, seeing their team through to victory.

The contest between National Bank of Pakistan and Islamabad ended in a thrilling draw at the Diamond Club Ground. NBP were set 303 to win and the game was there for the taking after Khurram Manzoor and Nasir Jamshed added 192 for the opening wicket. Khurram made 107 and Jamshed contributed 85 off 122 balls. But thereafter, the innings began to slide. Afaq Raheem's offspinners played a decisive role, as he picked up six wickets to undermine the foundation laid by the opening stand. NBP lost wickets at regular intervals and slipped to 259 for 8, with Islamabad sensing a win now. But Raza Hasan and Uzair-ul-Haq batted cautiously through to the finish. In the end, NBP finished with 287 for 8; they'll undoubtedly regret not taking advantage of that opening stand.

Karachi Blues didn't take long to beat Zarai Taraqiati Bank Limited at the National Stadium in Karachi. ZTBL had been reeling at 174 for 6 after following on and the Karachi bowlers polished off the tail, taking just eight overs to capture the remaining four wickets. Seamer Mohammad Sami finished with a five-for, while Tariq Haroon took 4 for 51. Karachi were victors by an innings and 112 runs.

Rawalpindi had an excellent chance of clinching victory against Pakistan International Airlines at the Rawalpindi Cricket Stadium, but fell short by 18 runs and had to settle for a draw. PIA had enjoyed the better of the contest for three days but they came close to losing on the fourth. From 185 for 2 overnight, they slipped to 229 for 8 in search of quick runs and declared, setting Rawalpindi a target of 354 in 71 overs. Nasir Malik picked up five wickets. In the chase, opener Naved Malik led the way with 139 and though Rawalpindi seemed to be losing their way, reduced to 124 for 4 at one stage, they fought back superbly. Adnan Mufti blasted 57 off 39 balls to add 122 in quick time with Naved, and took Rawalpindi closer to the target. Mohammad Rameez then came in and finished unbeaten on 59, off 44 balls, including five fours and two sixes. However, the acceleration came a little late as Rawalpindi couldn't reach the target in the allotted number of overs.

State Bank of Pakistan ensured their contest against Sialkot at the Jinnah Stadium ended in a draw. SBP would have begun the day thinking of a draw as they were only 36 runs ahead overnight. A five-wicket haul from Prince Abbas threatened to upset their plans but a collective batting effort in the end, with much-needed support from the lower order, helped them save the game. Rameez Raja chipped in with 42 while the rest of the top and middle orders got starts. However, the team was still in some trouble at 126 for 6. But Gulraiz Sadaf ended any Sialkot hopes of a surprise win, batting determinedly for his unbeaten 72 with support from Rizwan Haider. SBP were eventually bowled out for 220, Sialkot could only bat five overs in the fourth innings.

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Karachi Whites thrash Quetta by an innings

Quaid-e-Azam Trophy, Division Two, 2nd round, 3rd day

ESPNcricinfo staff

October 14, 2011

Tabish Khan and Mansur Ahmed made sure there was no way back for Quetta, taking four second-innings wickets each to give Karachi Whites victory by an innings and 61 runs. Quetta lost three wickets with just 24 runs on the board but captain Taimur Ali and Taimur Khan battled their way to half-centuries to raise their team's hopes of making Karachi bat again. The pair added 115 for the fourth wicket, but once Taimur Khan fell for 59, lbw to Tabish, the rest of the side quickly followed, and they were bowled out for 192. Taimur Ali also managed 59, while Tabish picked up 4 for 56 and Ahmed took 4 for 49, giving the pair 15 wickets for the match.

Multan were forced to follow-on and are struggling to avoid an innings defeat against Sui Northern Gas Pipelines Limited at the Multan Cricket Stadium. The home side began the day on 114 for 5 and Faisal Elahi and Ali Ahmed initially resisted but once Elahi fell for 33, the side capitulated for 206. Their second-innings began steadily, but having progressed to 95 for 2, Multan lost a further 4 wickets for 37 runs to leave them tottering at 132 for 6, still trailing by 162 runs. Bilawal Bhatti was the most successful bowler, picking up three wickets.

Left arm spinner bowled Noor-Ul-Amin Peshawar is a 55-run victory Lahore Ravi is a game of Arbab Niaz Stadium, low score of Peshawar. I have to take a five-run first innings advantage, Peshawar have been able to expand its 219 despite Aamer Hayat seven wicket away, Naved Khan, a top-45 score. Lahore seemed well-positioned two of the 87 Chase, but was rejected by the Ul-Amin Hamza Usman Salahuddin, and Paracha, off successive deliveries, never to return to Lahore. Ul-Amin ended June 19 164 over 49 as Lahore crumbled Peshawar to do everything to make their second consecutive victory.

Fahad-ul-Haq provided one hundred under pressure Lahore Shalimar has not suffered a defeat, but handles the Khan Research Laboratories is still in control at the Gaddafi Stadium. Fahad has recovered from his first innings duck to the bottom throughout the day to do your part and from 165 to 283 for 6 people, giving them a lead of 10 runs. After being given for 84 years, Lahore were in trouble back to the beginning, after falling to 15 by 2, but Fahad and Adnan Raza (50) steadied the ship with a 132 run partnership. Lahore then lost a couple of emergency windows after the match race, increasing the chances of defeat in three days. However, Asif Raza ally shown Fahad loans and the couple lived in Lahore said fight another day.

Hyderabad saw the defeat to United Bank Limited after it was made to follow a deficit in the first innings of 186 at the Niaz Stadium in Hyderabad. It started the day on 109 for 3 and, despite several drummers began, were dismissed for 274 in response to the United Bank of 460. Kumar Lal of resistance was the only unbeaten fifty Kashif Khan and Misbah Bhatti picked up four windows to allow each United Bank to enforce the follow-up. Hyderabad lost his previous start and were about 55 for 2 at stumps, still need another 131 to avoid a defeat of the sleeves.

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Karachi Blues in sight of big win over ZTBL

Quaid-e-Azam Trophy, Division One, 2nd round, 3rd day

ESPNcricinfo staff

October 14, 2011

Karachi Blues strode towards their first win of the season by taking nine wickets on the third day against Zarai Taraqiati Bank at the National Stadium. ZTBL were at a precarious 128 for 7 overnight, and despite Sohail Tanvir's 72 they could only manage 192 before being bowled out. Karachi Blues enforced the follow-on, and the ZTBL top order again folded cheaply. From 32 to 4, half-centuries from their captain Imran Nazir and Zohaib Khan helped ZTBL push the match to the fourth day, though they were still 34 runs behind Karachi with only four wickets in hand.

Habib Bank Limited were left to chase 367 against Abbottabad at the Abbottabad Cricket Stadium after Danish Karenia's five-for restricted Abbottabad to 250 in their second innings. The major contributions came from Rameez Ahmed and Riaz Kail who both made 58, the latter unbeaten, while opener Fawad Khan made 48. Ahmed was Kaneria's first victim, and he added two more to have Abbottabad in some trouble at 154 for 6, but Mir Azam (33) and Kail added 69 for the seventh wicket to set up a challenging total. HBL were 43 for no loss at the close of play.

It was slow progress for Islamabad at the Diamond Club Ground but they finished the day at a solid 305 for 9, ahead of National Bank of Pakistan by 292. The first innings for both teams had been low-scoring affairs but Islamabad built on the platform provided on Thursday by the top order. The overnight batsmen, Umair Khan and Zeeshan Mushtaq, both went on to make half-centuries before cameos from Umair Mir and Shehzad Azam pushed the total beyond 300. The most effective of the NBP bowlers was medium-pacer Uzair-ul-Haq who took four wickets.

Water and Power Development Authority were in sight of victory after Faisalabad collapsed in their second innings in Sargodha. Fast bowler Imran Khan and left-arm spinner Zulfiqar Babar ran through the Faisalabad line-up after they were in a strong position at 145 for 3, an overall lead of 229. Faisalabad lost seven wickets for 29 runs to set WAPDA a target of 259. Imran finished with 5 for 37 while Babar took 3 for 44. WAPDA's top three failed to convert starts and they were 102 for 3 at one stage before unbeaten fifties from Aamer Sajjad and captain Naved-ul-Hasan took them to 205, 54 short of a win.

Pakistan International Airlines consolidated their position against Rawalpindi at the Rawalpindi Cricket Stadium, bowling them out for 224 for a first-innings lead of 124 before cantering to 185 for 2 in their second innings. Babar Naeem's half-century carried Rawalpindi past 200 from their overnight score of 168 for 6 before Ali Imran took 5 for 54 to wrap up the innings. PIA had a strong start with Kamran Sajid (63) and Agha Sabir (34) putting on 65 upfront. Sheharyar Ghani was unbeaten on a brisk 58 with Faisal Iqbal for company as PIA ended the day 309 in front.

Sialkot ensured they will get first-innings points as their match against State Bank of Pakistan at the Jinnah Stadium headed for a draw. Sialkot consolidated on their strong overnight position of 187 for 2 - their captain Mansoor Amjad top-scored with 91 to lead them to 316 for 3, just 26 short of SBP's first-innings score. Sialkot then collapsed dramatically, losing their final seven wickets for 42. Fast bowler Waqas Ahmed finished with five wickets for SBP, though with three days completed and the third innings of the match having just commenced an outright result is unlikely.

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Faisalabad turn tables on WAPDA

Quaid-e-Azam Trophy, 2nd round, Division One, 2nd day

ESPNcricinfo staff

October 13, 2011

Faisalabad recovered from a poor start on the first day against Water and Power Development Authority (WAPDA) in Sargodha by securing a 84-run lead on the second, and then building on it. WAPDA began the day on 33 for 3, pursuing Faisalabad's 217, and slumped to 73 for 7. They lost two of those wickets with the score on 53. WAPDA's wicketkeeper Ahmed Said top scored with 40 as wickets tumbled around him and the innings eventually ended on 133 in the 53rd over. Fast bowler Abdur Rauf took 3 for 40 for Faisalabad, while three others took two apiece. In their second innings Faisalabad's openers, Farrukh Shehzad and Shahid Siddiq, made a solid start but both batsmen fell in the space of two runs to leave them at 75 for 2. Hasan Mahmood extended the lead to 188 by stumps with eight wickets intact.

Abbottabad fast bowler Ikramullah Khan took 5 for 53 to help his team secure the first-innings lead against Habib Bank Limited (HBL) at the Abbottabad Cricket Stadium. Ikramullah and his new-ball partner Mohammad Naeem dismissed HBL's openers before a run had been scored and Ikramullah returned to dismiss Khaqan Asral and Hasan Raza, who scored 46 and 61. They were the only HBL batsmen to reach double digits as the innings ended on 156, conceding a lead of 116. Naeem finished with 3 for 45 while Ahmed Jamal took 2 for 34. Abbottabad ended the day on 24 for 1 in their second innings. They had begun the day on 252 for 8 in their first innings but overnight centurion Rameez Ahmed was dismissed early and they got only 272. HBL's Sarmar Ahmed took 5 for 57 and Kamran Hussain took 4 for 52.

Aqeel Anjum scored at unbeaten 80 at No. 8 to give National Bank of Pakistan (NBP) a slender first-innings lead after a top-order implosion against Islamabad at the Diamond Club Ground. At one stage, when NBP were tottering at 39 for 6, it was Islamabad who were primed to take a massive lead. NBP resumed the day on 25 for 3, after Islamabad had scored 198, and Nasrullah Khan continued to rip through the line-up, finishing with 5 for 53. It needed the 80 from Anjum, 38 from Kamran Akmal and 24 from extras to drag NBP to 211 before the last wicket fell. Islamabad had wiped out the deficit of 13 by stumps, reaching 108 for 2 at stumps.

Javed Mansoor was the second batsman to score a century in the Karachi Blues innings, after Shahzaib Hasan on the first day, leading them to a formidable first-innings score before their bowlers wrecked Zarai Taraqiati Bank Limited (ZTBL) at the National Stadium. Mansoor converted his overnight 66 into 107 and had support from the tail as he took Karachi to 400 before they were dismissed. Fast bowler Mohammad Khalil took 101 for 6 for ZTBL. Karachi Blues' new-ball attack of Mohammad Sami and Sohail Khan dismissed the top four ZTBL batsmen cheaply, reducing them to 45 for 4. Medium-pacer Tariq Haroon then took three wickets as ZTBL ended the day in deep trouble at 128 for 7.

Half-centuries from two top-order batsmen and a generous number of extras allowed Sialkot to make a strong reply in their first innings against State Bank of Pakistan (SBP) at the Jinnah Stadium. Mohammad Yasin made 72 and Majid Jahangir was unbeaten on 54 as Sialkot reached 187 for 2 at stumps. They were also given 41 runs through extras in only 59 overs. Earlier in the day, SBP had extended their overnight score of 249 for 7 to 341. Most of their second-day runs were scored by Rameez Aziz, who was 72 overnight and finished on 121. Prince Abbas, one of nine bowlers used by Sialkot, took 5 for 106.

Pakistan International Airlines (PIA) ended the second day with a strong chance of taking a first-innings lead against Rawalpindi at the Rawalpindi Cricket Stadium. PIA were on 259 for 4 at the start of play but their overnight batsmen were out early. Fahad Iqbal was out for 136 after resuming on 112 and Shoaib Khan snr did not add to his 70. The tail made useful contributions to take PIA to 338. Mohammad Rameez, Nasir Malik and Babar Naeem took three wickets each for Rawalpindi. PIA's Ali Imran, however, produced a three-wicket spell as well to jolt Rawalpindi. They were reduced to 89 for 5 before wicketkeeper Jamal Anwar clubbed 60 of 43 balls. He was out shortly before stumps and Rawalpindi ended on 168 for 6.

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KRL in control against Lahore Shalimar

Quaid-e-Azam Trophy, 2nd round, Division Two, 2nd day

ESPNcricinfo staff

October 13, 2011

Sui Northern Gas Pipelines Limited's bowlers backed up the good work done by their batting colleagues to leave Multan in desperate trouble at the Multan Cricket Stadium. Resuming at 372 for 2, the overnight centurions Ali Waqas and Umar Akmal were unable to drive the advantage further. But the lower order, led by the free-flowing Mohammad Awais lifted them to 510 for 8, at which point they decided to declare. Mudassar Ali and Ali Ahmed shared the spoils with four wickets apiece. Multan's reply ran into trouble steadily as SNGPL made frequent strikes. Asad Ali made the first incision, after which Bilawal Bhatti and Azhar Shafiq struck twice apiece to leave Multan fumbling at 114 for 5.

Quetta were in desperate trouble against Karachi Whites after capsizing for 93 at the National Bank of Pakistan Sports Complex, conceding a 253-run first-innings lead. Only four batsmen got into double-figures, with captain Taimur Ali top-scoring with 21, as Tabish Khan and Mansur Ahmed ran through the Quetta line-up. They lasted less than 41 overs, as Tabish and Mansur helped themselves to seven of the 10 wickets. Their second innings didn't start very differently, as Bismillah Khan succumbed to Adeel Malik before stumps. Earlier, half-centuries from Akbar-ur-Rehman and Abdul Jabbar were backed by a resilient lower order as Karachi Whites finished with 346.

Usman Salahuddin's resolute 88 wasn't enough to give Lahore Ravi the first-innings lead against Peshawar in what was turning into a low-scoring scrap at the Arbab Niaz Stadium in Peshawar. Resuming at 113 for 5, Salahuddin was the only batsman to stand up for Lahore Ravi, as Noor-ul-Ahmed (5 for 50) and Waqar Ahmed (4 for 63) scythed through the lower order. Peshawar lost Haroon Ahmed early in their second innings, but Mohammad Fayyaz and Naved Khan steadied the innings. Neither batsman could cash in on the start though, as Peshawar went to stumps at 149 for 4.

A strong batting performance on the second day gave Khan Research Laboratories (KRL) firm control of their match against Lahore Shalimar at the Gaddafi Stadium. KRL had begun the day on 140 for 1, already leading by 56 in the first innings after routing Lahore for 84. Bazid Khan went on to score a century (103) and Ali Naqvi made 59. KRL eventually declared on 357 for 6, with a lead of 273. Lahore were 13 for 0 at stumps as they battled to avoid an innings defeat.

United Bank Limited's (UBL) lower order contributed significantly to ensure their team achieved a string first-innings total against Hyderabad at the Niaz Stadium. UBL had ended day one on 288 for 6 with Imtad-ul-Haq not out on 27. He went on to remain unbeaten on 102 and Misbah Khan, batting at No. 10, scored 50 off 70 balls as UBL piled up 460 for 8 before declaring. Hyderabad made a steady start, reaching 89 for no loss, before they lost three wickets for 11 runs and were 109 for 3 at stumps.

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Umar Akmal puts SNGPL in command

Quaid-e-Azam Trophy, 2nd round, Division Two, 1st day

ESPNcricinfo staff

October 12, 2011

Contrasting centuries from Umar Akmal and Ali Waqas put Sui Northern Gas Pipelines Limited in command of their match against Multan at the Multan Cricket Stadium. The pair built on a quick start from the openers, with Azeem Ghumman going on to make a brisk 77. Ghumman and Waqas put on 104 for the second wicket to take SNGPL to 156 for 2, but the worst was yet to come for Multan. Umar Akmal clobbered 21 fours and three sixes in an unbeaten 153 that came at better than a run-a-ball and took less than three hours. His pyrotechnics were in contrast to the sedate 104 from Waqas which required nearly five hours.

Shalimar in Lahore continued their poor start to fall 84 all season, against the Khan Research Laboratories, Gaddafi Stadium. This total does not seem likely negligible, when they reached 66 3, but the left arm spinner Nayyer Abbas, tore the Middle spark a dramatic fall. Lahore lost their last four wickets without a run added to part-time spinner Saeed Anwar left arm over figures 2.1-2-0-3. KRL, then solidified through the advantage of half a century later by Zain Abbas Khan genicity of semicarbazide, which took 140 1 strains.

Peshawar is a specialist batsmen flopped against the Ravi in ​​Lahore Arbab Niaz Stadium, which meant that despite the resistance of lower order, they closed the 190th The fast bowler Emmad Ali made the breakthrough early in Peshawar and was quick 5 to 75 A seventh wicket stand of 65 between Riaz Afridi and Ali Gauhar wicketkeeper pushed them to 200 before the last three wickets went down four times. Lahore Ravi had a collapse of their own at an early stage, the elongation at 21 for 3 before Mohammad Saad and Captain Usman Salahuddin, who has just recovered from dengue and played his first game since May, placed on 84 for the fourth. Lahore ended the day on 113 for 5

Karachi Whites made progress very slow to Quetta, the National Bank of Pakistan Sports Complex to end the first day on 228 for 4 Four of the six batters in Karachi has made the forties, with Captain Akbar-ur- Rehman and Abdul Jabbar remains undefeated. Handles the most patient of the day came open Murtaza Majeed, who worked for more than four hours before being dismissed for a 46 that had only two limitations. No. 4 batsman Saeed Bin Nasser also helped, making a quicker than 45 Quetta struggled to make inroads.

A series of half-century of its higher end helped United Bank Limited to $ 288 against Niaz Stadium in Hyderabad 6. Khan opens UBL ships and No. 3 ducks Sukhail Saad, but the other is open, and Asad Ali Tahir Mughal No. 4 position in 101 for the third window to launch a recovery. With the drummer for the next Mohammad Sami, also made a fifty, and adding 118 for the fourth ring with Assad, Osama bin Laden has become a strong 222 for 3 before Hyderabad responded with three windows to level the day after a little.

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Faisalabad fold for 217

Quaid-e-Azam Trophy, 2nd round, Division One, 1st day

ESPNcricinfo staff

October 12, 2011

Faisalabad continued their poor start to this season's competition by being bowled out for 217 on the first day against Water and Power Development Authority in Sargodha. Fast bowlers Imran Khan and Kashif Raza shared the first six wickets to fall, reducing Faisalabad to 106 for 6. Veteran Naved Latif, who missed the opening game of the campaign, was the only batsman to cross 30, remaining unbeaten on a brisk 59. Faisalabad did fight back, though, through their bowlers. Abdul Rauf, who has only bowled once before in his ten-match first-class career, was given the new ball and he struck twice early, as WAPDA finished the day on 33 for 3.

Abbottabad were headed for a total of mediocre against Habib Bank Limited, in spite of their captain Rameez Ahmed and 91 by Nadeem Akhtar at Abbottabad Cricket Stadium. With five of the top eight to make one, complete with figures, wickets messed up both sides of the 172-run stand between Ahmed and Akhtar. Abbottabad Pair rescued from an embarrassing 48 4, but the separation Akhtar left the stage with four wickets price decreased by 28 runs. Ahmed was still unbeaten 105 Abbottabad reached 252 for eight strains. Fast bowler Sarmad Anwar HBL was the most effective bowlers, finishing four scalps.

If you do not stick means that Islamabad against the National Bank of Pakistan, 198 Diamond Club Ground. Four batteries in Islamabad who made 30, but none of them could reach half a century, and the longest open sleeves Umair Khan who fought for 105 minutes to just 13. Islamabad appeared headed to an even lower when the total fell to 117 for 6, but a 63 run eighth among Naeem Anjum pedestrian and the appearance of Imad Wasim. Kamran Akmal, who has not played for Pakistan since the World Cup, had five catches in the innings. NBP was hitting just their own, losing three early wickets to finish at 25 for 3.

Opener Shahzaib Hasan, a left arm fast bowler century and Mohammad Khalil strike meant Karachi Blues and Zara Taraqiati Bank Limited to share the opening day of tributes at the National Stadium. Shahzaib done more than half of the trips in Karachi, grazing the side of 251 5, despite the lack of support from other higher order. Despite the capital Shahzaib, Karachi has been an embarrassing 79 4 Khalil, how to break the surface of cotton. Wicketkeeper Javed Mansoor, then if the backup Shahzaib necessary, with the addition of a pair of 166 fifth wicket first Shahzaib was dismissed for 144

Ramee Gulraiz seventy Sadaf Aziz and helped the State Bank of Pakistan to recover from a failure to a maximum of $ 249 for 7 against Jinnah Stadium Sialkot. Mohammad Abbas took three wickets early to push the SBP in a sentence. 93-5, Sadaf Aziz and PAS pulled some respectability with a 152 run stand, before a player strike twice as fast as Prince Abbas Sialkot border means the day. Prince Mohammad Abbas and finished with three rings each.

It was another failure for the Cricket Stadium high Rawalpindi, Pakistan International Airlines has lost four windows before going good at the end of the day on 259 for 4 against Rawalpindi. Fahad Iqbal A century and an unbeaten 70 from Shoaib Khan experienced PIA raised from 69 to 4. Iqbal was the fifth first class century, shifts in which he hit 13 four and six. Shoaib came to the crease at about the same time as Iqbal, but was much more cautious, reaching below 40, but played an important role in stabilizing the sleeves.

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Sialkot bowlers set up victory

Quaid-e-Azam Trophy, 1st round, 4th day

ESPNcricinfo staff

October 9, 2011

Division One

In a dramatic final day at the Jinnah Stadium, Sialkot emerged victorious by 59 runs over Habib Bank Limited. Sialkot began the day on 61 for 7, ahead by 165, and were quickly bowled out, leaving a target of 188 as legspinner Danish Kaneria took 6 for 24. HBL's openers were dismissed early, after which a stubborn third-wicket stand gave them hope of a come-from-behind win. However, a burst of three wickets for four runs reduced HBL to 60 for 5, and despite a 45-run sixth-wicket stand, left-arm spinner Nabeel Malik's four strikes ensured Sialkot took nine points from the match.

After taking control of the game on the third day, Water and Power Development Authority finished the job on the last day, beating Abbottabad by 10 wickets at the Abbottabad Cricket Stadium. Abbottabad had started the day at 70 for 5, and were bowled out for 125. That left WAPDA 60 runs to get, and their openers knocked them off in 14.4 overs. While Naved-ul-Hasan had rocked Abbottabad's top order on the third day, it was left-arm spinner Zulfiqar Babar and seamer Imran Khan who mopped up the middle order and tail, finishing with seven wickets between them in the innings. Babar's four second-innings scalps meant he finished the match with eight wickets. Pakistan International Airlines and Islamabad was involved in a lot at Diamond Club Ground in Islamabad. AFAQ Raheem and Naeem Anjum fell early, ending the hopes of Islamabad for the last score of Pia first innings of 423 is Anwar Ali 5-65 Islamabad has completed the first sleeve 291, shortly after they started 256 for the fifth An advance of 142 in the bag, PIA gust to 157 for 3 in 27 overs before declaring and giving 300 Islamabad to hunt. The battle ended in Islamabad to 99 to 1 and Umair Khan unbeaten on the 50th

Kamran Akmal made a big hundred, along with the lower order that the National Bank of Pakistan drew their game in Rawalpindi after admitting a large head first innings Cricket Stadium in Rawalpindi. Akmal 139 came off 196 balls with 18 fours and a six. Centurions Fawad Alam and Umar Amin left early, but Akmal Rawalpindi assured since most of the day. NBP has finally said 482-8, and the game was canceled in Rawalpindi 52-1

Division

Mohammad Hafeez took five wickets in a bowl of gas pipelines in Sui Northern Limited to a 119-victory crashed Khan Research Laboratories in Rawalpindi. Chasing 274, KRL fell from 113 to 3 for acquittal on the 154th Asad Ali KRL had shaken up the order with three doors, but they came by Ali Naqvi and Ali Khan, before Hafeez ran through the line-up , which takes 5 to 29 in 20.1 overs. SNGPL had previously said 242 for 8 after Khurram Shehzad and Adnan Akmal had been dismissed for the fifty or value. Ali Naqvi Offspinner finished with 4 for 44th

Need to 10:00 on the last day wickets, Lahore Ravi clinically country out of a huge win in Lahore Shalimar Lahore City Cricket Association Ground. Shalimar opener, Ahmed Dar and Mohammed Hamza, has added 65, raising hopes for their team to escape with a draw before the spectacular collapse of the driver's side was bowled for a double score. Up to 130 was reached 33-run eighth wicket after the Shalimar is decreased by 86 7, for 16 years, debutant, and Mohammad Nasim Saad Irfan legspinner from the surface of the configuration to set up an easy win.

Hyderabad, Quetta, and played a tie Niaz Stadium in Hyderabad. Having already taken a first innings advantage, Hyderabad, today beat 47.1 overs, eventually declared their second innings 215, 9 and Quetta unlikely tracking Rizwan Ahmed 295 Lal Kumar was 81 when the patient 39 was the next highest score. Gohar Faiz seamer finished 5 52 Reply opener Bismillah Khan struck 15 boundaries to reach out an unbeatable 100 109 balls, and the game was called from Quetta is 163 3

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Raees ton, Siddiq hat-trick give SBP win

Quaid-e-Azam Trophy, 1 st Floor, 3 days

Staff ESPNcricinfo

October 8, 2011

Division One

Adnan Raees large "one hundred Kashif Siddiq five that included a hat-trick, combined to give the State Bank of Pakistan with a comfortable victory over Karachi Blues by an innings and 11 runs at the National Stadium in Karachi. SBP started the day in third place by 42 runs with four wickets in hand but Raees and Sadaf could push him to 86 before Sadaf fell to 50, the third highest individual score of the game. Two quick wickets followed, but Raees was able to add 36 to last Saad Altaf man before he was last out for 190, after hitting one minute shy of seven hours. Karachi started steadily in their second innings, but dismissal Khalid Latif has created a sense of panic that Siddik especially enjoyed when he caught Shahzaib Hasan, Javed Mansoor Ahmad and Tanvir IPN consecutive deliveries.

This will reduce the Karachi-64 6, and although it was some resistance to Wajihuddin and Mohammad Sami, Siddiq wrapped up the match with his fifth wicket fell to only 113 Karachi

Seamer Mohammad Khalil and left arm spinner Zohaib Khan Faisalabad crossed the line to give victory Zarai Taraqiati Bank Limited in turn and 124 runs at Iqbal Stadium in Faisalabad. After ZTBL declared with a lead of about 264 rounds, first, Khalil took three quick windows - two distress and low birth weight - to leave the hosts 14 for three. Mohammad Shahid Mohammad Salman and tried to give some stability sleeves and has both in their thirties, but continued to collect Zohaib wickets, finishing with 3-39 on the sleeves and eight wickets in the match. Khalil later returned with two more and finished with five entries.

Water and Development Authority for Energy has taken their game against Abbottabad at Abbottabad Cricket Stadium, due to hit late Ali Azmat, and their bowlers. Azmat made 105 153 ball innings, which included 11 four and six. It 'was supported by Sarfraz Ahmed, who made a lively 63 61 balls to beat No. 10 to push the WAPDA 325, lead 66 Abbottabad was then shaken by Naved-ul-Hasan, who dismissed both openers just two runs tab, and Zulfiqar Babar, who took two wickets late, to leave home half a wobbly 70 5, leads to only four runs.

About one hundred of AFAQ undefeated Raheem and Naeem Anjum was 58 not out provided some resistance to Islamabad, but they were still 167 runs behind Pakistan International Airlines with five wickets left at the end of the third day at the Diamond Club ground in Islamabad. Only 95.4 overs of play was possible during the first two days, but perhaps PIA nourished the hope of a victory when they were in Islamabad for 5146 in response to their 423rd After an opening stand 82, Anwar Ali and sailors returned Aizaz Cheema, who was included in the Pakistan team to play Sri Lanka later this month, up to two doors to allow each of the problems in Islamabad. Raheem and Anjum are unbeaten 110-run stand all but assured Islamabad would avoid the follow-up, but PIA is always the favorites to take points for first innings lead.

Fawad Alam's unbeaten century helped Omar Amin and the National Bank of Pakistan to fight after conceding a first sleeve-195-homer lead in Rawalpindi Cricket Stadium Rawalpindi. SBP reached 296 for three by the end of the day, giving them 101 runs ahead. What had started badly. First, that Muzammil Nizam and No. 10, Mohammad Ramee take your window position 37 to 118 sessions during the night. Ramee has 74 of these flows by taking just 63 balls in Rawalpindi 348. Then lost three wickets NBP early and was 37 for 3 before Amin Alam and establish an unbeaten partnership of 259 runs. Alam scored his runs quickly, taking only 148 balls to reach 141, while Amin hit 20 boundaries in his 131.

Sialkot players came back strongly to win a first round of 104 rounds in front of Habib Bank, but were disappointed by their batters he collapsed against Kaneria Danish and Abdur Rehman at the end of the day 61 7 Jinnah Stadium. Sialkot struck early to dismiss Umar and Imran Farhat Taufeeq Asad Shafiq, but (105) and captain Younis Khan (52) revived the Habib Bank to 108 runs are fourth wicket. Habib Bank, however, could not build more and collapsed from 218 for three to be dismissed for 293. Sialkot Blenders sold the final advantage, losing seven wickets in 25 overs with Kaneria and Rehman taking three each.

Division

An improved effort and stick an innings of 81 from Mohammad Waris first class debut was not enough to Multan to avoid defeat at Arbab Niaz sleeves Peshawar Peshawar Stadium. After a season of horror in Division One last year when they lost 10 of their 11 matches in Multan begin life in the division was as traumatic as they were thrown during the first 67 days. Trailing by 298, their batsmen fared better in the second attempt. Naved Yasin had reached half a century, the second day, and Waris came to the fifty mark in the third. But the sailors Waqar Ahmed chipped away at the wickets and finished with five innings in Multan which was thrown out by the 287th

Saeed Bin Nasir Karachi Whites made a comfortable win seven pedestrian on United Bank in Karachi. After his hundred rounds undefeated in first, Karachi Nasir led in pursuit of 177, after the Bank United were dismissed for 241 in their second innings. Kashif Bhatti had rejected the opening 30 on the board, but Atif Nasir Ali, adding 107 for the third window to sail in Karachi. Atif Nasir left at 45, but remained unbeaten on 92 with 17 fours Karachi to take home. Sukhail Saad (76) had previously received United Bank 241 of his overnight score of 164 to 6. Legspinner Mansoor Ahmed finished with 4-53.

A Century of Abid Ali Lahore Ravi put in a position where they can push for a win against Lahore Shalimar in Lahore City Cricket Association Ground. Having obtained an advance of 84-run first innings, scored Lahore Ravi at brisk pace on the third day and said, 290 for three, leaving Lahore Shalimar 375 to win. Abid hit 15 boundaries in his 108 and was supported by Junaid Jan, who scored 53 and Mohammad Saad (55). Saad Nasim got some quick runs late innings, hitting three sixes in his 49-ball Open 56th Lahore Shalimar negotiated 10 overs at the end of the day, but their coats need to be improved from the first rounds bat, if they want to avoid a loss.

Sui Northern Gas Pipelines Limited makes slow progress on the third day and finished 222 ahead of Khan Research Laboratories, with four remaining floor windows Khan Research Laboratory in Rawalpindi. SNGPL have already received an advance on the first innings, but scored only 81.3 overs on 153 on the third day, losing five rings. They were in trouble at 116 for 6, but with an unbeaten stand of 75 between Khurram Shehzad and Adnan Akmal said he still maintains a slight edge going to the final day. KRL SNGPL spinners kept under control, takes 2 to Ali Abbas Naqvi Nayyer 40 and get two 32.

Players Hyderabad is a major step forward against Quetta innings on the third day at the Niaz Stadium in Hyderabad. Starting the day on 124 for 4, Quetta was a couple of half-century of collaboration, but lost wickets in groups and shot at 311. Hyderabad, and then reached 54 for two people, leaving 133 before the end of the day. Ata-ur-Rehman top scorer with 67 Quetta and participated in two fifty stands. Quetta last three windows fell by eight points, Kumar Lal complete a pedestrian route three. Zahid Mahmood was also Legspinner three.

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ZTBL in control against Faisalabad

Quaid-e-Azam Trophy, 1st round, 2nd day

ESPNcricinfo staff

October 7, 2011

Sharjeel Khan and Yasir Hameed made big hundreds as Zarai Taraqiati Bank Limited dominated Faisalabad at the Iqbal Stadium in Faisalabad. The pair added 207 for the second wicket, with Sharjeel the more aggressive of the two, striking 32 fours and two sixes in his 154. He was eventually dismissed by Aqueel Ahmed, but Hameed made sure there would be no let up, bringing up his own century and taking ZTBL to 401 for 4. Hameed was unbeaten on 146 at the close, having batted for almost six hours, with Zohaib Khan on 19 for company. Zulqarnain Haider, the Pakistan wicketkeeper who is making his return to first-class cricket after fleeing to the UK, was bowled by Abdul Rauf for a duck, the one blemish for ZTBL on the day.

Water and Power Development Authority wrapped up Abbottabad's innings for 259 but the home side struck back to take four wickets to leave the match evenly poised on a day when only 37 overs were bowled at the Abbottabad Cricket Stadium. Naved-ul-Hasan and Sarfraz Ahmad needed just 12 overs to nip out the Abbottabad tail, leaving Khalid Usman unbeaten on 56. The pair ended with three wickets apiece, while left-arm spinner Zulfiqar Babar took four on the first day. WAPDA started well, with the openers adding 52, but Junaid Khan struck three quick blows as the side lost four wickets for 19 runs. Opener Rafatullah Mohmand remained unbeaten on an attacking 57 from 70 balls, having struck 10 fours.

A century from Adnan Raees allowed State Bank of Pakistan to take the first-innings lead over Karachi Blues at the National Stadium in Karachi. SBP had slumped to 126 for 5 in pursuit of Karachi's 253, but Raees held the lower order together, getting valuable contributions from Rameez Aziz, who made 16 but lasted 43 balls, and Gulraiz Sadaf, whose dogged resistance allowed the pair to added 121 unbeaten runs for the seventh wicket. Raees ended the day on 141 from 244 balls, while Sadaf had accumulated 32 from 107.

Rawalpindi's batsmen laboured through their innings but did enough to earn a comfortable first-innings lead over National Bank of Pakistan at the Rawalpindi Cricket Stadium with two wickets still in hand. Usman Saeed was the only batsman to make a half-century with a patient 56 from 178 balls. No one else managed more than 37, and Rawalpindi's total of 265 for 8 was boosted by 56 extras. Mohammad Talha was the best of the bowlers, ending the day with 4 for 65, while Umaid Asif took 3 for 53.

Mohammad Ayub made an unbeaten 186 - his highest first-class score - to carry Sialkot to 397 against Habib Bank at the Jinnah Stadium. Ayub and Mubeen Mughal carried on from the overnight score of 253 for 5 before Mughal went caught behind to Kamran Hussain for 47. The duo added 115 for the sixth wicket after which Ayub took Sialkot to the brink of 400 in the company of the tail. Left-arm seamer Hussain - who played two ODIs for Pakistan in 2008 - finished with 6 for 105. Habib Bank breezed to 91 in 19 overs for the loss of Ahmed Shehzad's wicket.

In the 58 overs bowled today, Pakistan International Airlines rode on Agha Sabir's unbeaten 153 to move to 340 for 4 against Islamabad at the Diamond Club Ground. PIA started the second day on 144 for 2 and were in slight bother at 240 for 4 after the dismissals of Faisal and Fahad Iqbal. Sabir and Shoaib Khan snr put on an unbeaten 100 for the fifth wicket to ensure PIA continued to be in control.

Division Two

Rizwan Ahmed's half-century, backed up by useful contributions from the lower order, helped Hyderabad add 146 runs to their overnight tally and post 390 against Quetta at the Niaz Stadium in Hyderabad. Jamshed Baig, who was unbeaten on 39 overnight, fell for 77 while his partner, the top-scorer Shahid Qambrani was dismissed without adding to his score of 82. Rizwan, after adding 60 with Jamshed for the sixth wicket, received support from captain Mir Ali (20). Batting at No.9, Nasir Awais made a quickfire 41 while Zahid Mahmood chipped in with 23 to stretch Hyderabad's score. In Quetta's response, opener Bismillah Khan delivered a solid start by making 66 but Awais struck twice before the close, leaving the visitors on 124 for 4.

Sui Northern Gas Pipelines Limited gained the ascendancy in their contest against Khan Research Laboratories in Rawalpindi. A six-wicket haul from offspinning allrounder Mohammad Hafeez helped SNGPL bowl out KRL for 192 and secure a lead of 31 in the first innings. The going could have been far worse for KRL, who had been reduced to 82 for 6 at one stage but wicketkeeper and captain Zulfiqar Jan topscored with 62, amid support from No.9 batsman Yasir Ali who made 21. The pair helped reduce the deficit but only after Hafeez had caused considerable damage after running through the top and middle orders. He made a quickfire 28 in the second innings before being dismissed, and SNGPL finished the day on 38 for 1, a lead of 69.

In a similar vein, Lahore Ravi took the upper-hand against Lahore Shalimar at the Lahore City Cricket Association Ground. Shalimar's top and middle orders got starts but failed to push on. Each of their top seven reached double-figures but only managed a highest of 44 - by Mohammad Sohail - between them. The lower order caved in, as the last five wickets fell for 13 runs. Mohammad Irfan bagged 6 for 35 to give his team a lead of 82. That was extended to 99 by stumps as Ravi finished the day on 17 for 1.

Peshawar were pushing for a win against Multan at the Arbab Niaz Stadium in Peshawar. Having bowled out Multan for 67 on the opening day, Peshawar set about dominating proceedings again on the second day. Sajjad Ahmed and captain Akbar Badshah smashed centuries and added an unbeaten 173 for the fourth wicket. They scored at a fair clip and built a first-innings lead of 298 before declaring on 365 for 3. Their seamer Nauman Habib went about justifying that decision by picking up three wickets before the close as Multan ended the day on 119 for 4. Naved Yasin batted positively, remaining unbeaten on 63.

Karachi Whites had the advantage in a low-scoring encounter against United Bank Limited in Karachi. An unbeaten 109 from Saeed Bin Nasir was the backbone of Karachi's score of 204, which, amid ordinary performances from his partners, gave his team a potentially decisive 65-run first-innings lead. The next highest score in the innings was 14. Left-arm spinner Kashif Bhatti picked up five wickets and seamer Mohammad Irshad backed him up with a four-for. In their second innings, UBL squandered an excellent position. Opener Ali Asad and Saad Sukhail struck half-centuries and their team had taken the lead, going well at 118 for 1. But a collapse followed where the next five wickets fell for 34. Left-arm spinner Faraz Ahmed took four wickets, and UBL were 164 for 6 at stumps - a lead of 99 with Sukhail still at the crease.

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Zulqarnain Haider Returns To First-class Cricket

Pakistan news

Umar Farooq

October 7, 2011

For the first time since fleeing Dubai on the eve of an ODI, Zulqarnain Haider is back playing first-class cricket. He kept wicket for Zarai Taraqiati Bank Limited in the Quaid-e-Azam Trophy Division One on October 6 - taking three catches on the first day of the match against Faisalabad - and said it felt like he was "starting from scratch".

Haider infamously went missing during Pakistan's series against South Africa in the UAE in November 2010. He later said he had flown to London because he had received death threats from bookies in Dubai and simultaneously announced his retirement from international cricket. However, he returned to Pakistan in April this year and in May said he wanted to abandon his retirement.

Haider is now intent on reviving his career but says he has no regrets about the accusations he made of match-fixing being rampant in cricket. "I know I almost put my career at stake for which I have no regret," he told ESPNCricinfo. "In fact, I have inspired upcoming players to speak up against happenings around them instead of just going with the flow."

After his return to Pakistan, Haider struggled to find a team, with no one wanting to sign him for the Faysal Bank Twenty20 tournament. ZTBL agreed to include him in their squad for the first-class season, and Haider, who is 25 years old, says he is looking for a fresh start and would like to make it back to the international stage. "I have started my career again and it feels like I'm starting from scratch. I don't know what prospects I have at the moment but cricket is my bread and butter and I had to get back to playing for my livelihood. I am young and have already lost plenty of cricket for various reasons. I don't know whether I will be selected for the top level or not but right now I am focusing on my game and the rest is up to the selectors.

"My passion for cricket is still alive and I am optimistic that I can put in performances that will catch the selectors' eye. Playing for the country is always an honour and that desire never dies."

After he fled to the UK last year, Haider had claimed he received threats in Pakistan domestic cricket as well, and suggested the ICC tap players' phones since "a lot of people are involved" in match-fixing. The PCB set up a fact-finding committee to investigate the circumstances surrounding Haider's flight to England, and suspended his stipend contract. The ICC's investigative arm, the Anti-Corruption and Security Unit (ACSU), had said they wanted to wait for the PCB to finish their probe before getting involved, but the report from the committee said there were no clear motives behind Haider's flight.

The bookies behind the threats to Haider were arrested by police in Sialkot in April, after Haider had returned to Pakistan, but Haider was fined 500,000 rupees ($5,800) by the PCB for violating their code of conduct when he left the series in the UAE midway without informing team management. The board also put Haider on probation from the national team for a year, and said he had had no proof of any wrongdoing against any player or official of the board. Haider said he realised he should have informed the board and seniors in the team of his predicament rather than leaving the tour without notice.

However, he stands by the claims he made and says he knowingly took a risk by speaking out about corruption while his career was still at a nascent stage. Referring to Shoaib Akhtar's recent comments about ball tampering and Shahid Afridi's criticism of the Pakistan board and team management, Haider questioned why these players had waited so long to come forward with their statements.

"I know to the world I am a fool but to me I did the right thing," he said. "I was well aware I was risking my career but I opted to follow the righteous path. I am not like Afridi and Shoaib who when done with their career are now coming out busting the system. On the contrary I was at the beginning of my career and I raised my voice against the odds, putting my career at risk without any fear.

"Both Afridi and Shoaib have earned a lot of respect and money through the system, and now when they see things are out of their hands they have started lashing out the at entire structure and culture of Pakistan cricket. Why at the end of their career?"

Haider had played just one Test and four ODIs for Pakistan before his departure from Dubai. He got his opportunity in the wicketkeeper's slot after Kamran Akmal's horror tour of England and had helped Pakistan level the series against South Africa in the UAE with a cameo in the fourth ODI.

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Umar Akmal shines for SNGPL

Quaid-e-Azam Trophy Division Two, first day, 1st Round

Staff ESPNcricinfo

October 6, 2011

Umar Akmal, who was fired by the test team in Pakistan for the series against Sri Lanka, responded with a 97 Sui Northern Gas Pipeline Rapid v Khan Research Laboratories Limited in the soil Khan Research Laboratory in Rawalpindi. None of the other batsmen SNGPL, however, went past fifty and they were thrown out of the 223rd Strike Umar came after his team lost their first three at lower cost. He hit 14 boundaries and 110 balls to reach the 97th he was denied a century by Yasir Ali, who rejected a caught behind. Yasir has taken five wickets in innings, four of them taken by the goalkeeper. KRL lost a wicket early in their reply and were 42-1 at stumps.

76-run tenth wicket partnership helped Lahore Ravi to 276 against Lahore Shalimar at the Lahore City Cricket Association Ground. After being put to beat Lahore Ravi lost two wickets early, but the 90-run partnership Mohammad Saad and Abid Ali has given them a solid foundation. Saad was solid as wickets fell around him and got a 66 off 184 balls. Manzoor Ali took six wickets novice and reduce the Lahore Ravi first Aamer Waqas Aslam Hayat 200 9 and put together a last wicket with 76 on Lahore Shalimar Hayat to 38 bowlers were immoral, to donate 42 extras including 11 no-balls. Lahore Shalimar, then stopped at day 24 1

Half-centuries from Shahid and Rizwan Ahmed Qambrani got to Hyderabad 244 for four against Quetta at Niaz Stadium in Hyderabad. Qambrani retired in his innings, but he returned not to reach 82 by stumps. Ahmed scored 61 and Jam 39 Baig was not on at the end of the day to leave Hyderabad in a strong position.

Multan was shot outside the 67 on the first day of their Quaid-e-Azam Trophy Division Two matches in Peshawar Arbab Niaz host Stadium. Opening bowlers Nauman Habib and Riaz Afridi did the most damage, claiming eight wickets between them, because none of the batsmen Mohammad Waris Multan block, run for over 10 In response, Peshawar batsmen were constant. Mohammad Haroon Ahmed Fayyaz open and put a 73 before Naved Khan and Sajjad Ahmed negotiated up to the stumps, taking Peshawar 165 2

Karachi Whites, by choosing to bowl, United Bank Limited broken tail in the United Bank Limited Sports Complex Karachi. United Bank Limited has reduced to 28 for seven before the end of resistance to some Adnan Baig, Mohammad Kashif Irshad Bhatti and led to 139. The fast bowler Tabish Khan was the chief destroyer of figures 6 to 48. Karachi Whites also were not much better in the response, was reduced to 108 for 6. Saeed Bin Nasser was the only one to go to Karachi, is unbeaten in 45 strains.

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Nasir Malik's seven-for destroys NBP

Quaid-e-Azam Trophy Division One, a 1 day °

Personal ESPNcricinfo

October 6, 2011

Karachi Blues decided to bat against the State Bank of Pakistan, National Stadium in Karachi, and decreased by 100 6, the first of its solid performance in 253 Javed Mansoor Khan and Sohail scored half a century, and Mohammad Sami played the role of support with 44, but the State Bank of Pakistan, Mahmood Hasan was the star of the day - has almost single-Karachi Blues moved his left arm spin, and finished 88 chapters 6 State Bank of Pakistan have been a bad start for the their innings, losing two wickets manages over 23 have played the first seven strains.

Sialkot to continued success in the courts, of Habib Bank Limited, going to 253 plants per 5 years Jinnah Stadium in Sialkot. They started badly when asked to bat, slipping to 19 March before the innings was rebuilt around a patient unbeaten 89 and opening 105 from Mohammad Yasin Mohammad Ayub. Kamran Hussain, left in a hurry, had a handful of bowlers Habib Bank Limited - has bowled Majid Jahangir and Captain Mansoor Amjad ducks, and finished day one of the four figures in 60

After asking the bat in Rawalpindi, folded the National Bank of Pakistan for 153 in Rawalpindi Cricket Stadium. Khurram Manzoor Alam and only Fawad managed to make significant contributions Alam high score of 51 as a medium left-arm pacer Nasir Malik torn command. Malik finished with 7-42, his best figures for a first class innings. Rawalpindi and then turns off 14 overs to stumps at 41-1

On top of Abbottabad presented a solid platform after being put to bat by water and hydroelectric development in Abbottabad Cricket Stadium, but later left to 230 wickets from 7 to end the first day. After both openers failed to convert starts, Ramee Ahmed, the first-class debut, scored 56. Abbottabad were in a strong position at 132 for 3-left arm seamer Sarfraz Ahmed, but took two wickets and left arm spinner fast Zulfiqar Babar denied Ramee. Babar Abbottabad picked fourth wicket manga that has lost momentum.

Left arm spinner, Zohaib Khan took five rings as upset Zarai Taraqiati Bank Limited Faisalabad out for 199 on the first day at the Iqbal Stadium in Faisalabad. Zohaib before crossing the middle order and tail, seamer Mohammad Khalil and Rehan Riaz took two wickets each Faisalabad rattle. Zeeshan Butt Only, who scored 43, and Abdul Rauf, with its 42 years, made significant contributions to Faisalabad. In response, ZTBL had a good start and was 75 to 0 strains. Sharjeel Khan was aggressive and scored 47 from 44 balls, helping to support ZTBL runs above 5.76.

Only 37.4 overs were possible on the first day at the Diamond Club Ground in Islamabad, Pakistan International Airlines, but came in a strong position against Islamabad, and reached 144 for the second Agha Sabir remained unbeaten on 69 113 out of bullets . PIA has been put in to bat, and had half a century, the opening is in front of Sabir and Sheharyar Ghani combined 85 runs. Ghani denied AFAQ Raheem just before play was stopped.

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