KARACHI: Experienced batter Abid Ali scored a gutsy century to keep Sui Northern Gas Pipelines Limited (SNGPL) in the hunt against the Water and Power Development Authority (WAPDA) in the fifth round of the President’s Trophy. Abid Ali’s 29th first-class century came when SNGP was pushed to the backfoot by Asif Afridi, who claimed a five-wicket haul. WAPDA lead by 28 runs in the second innings after the completion of the second day’s play as SNGPL were bundled out for 292 in their first innings.

Earlier in the day, SNGPL continued from their overnight score of 13-0 and lost Azhar Ali (5, 29b). Omair Bin Yousuf lasted for 55 balls as he scored only 23 runs. Kamran Ghulam (41, 99b, 2x4s, 2x6s) joined forces with Abid Ali to stitch an 89-run partnership.

Meanwhile, Abid Ali (147, 183b, 14x4s, 3x6s) brought up his 29th first-class century, which also kept the SNGPL innings together. Skipper Asad Shafiq (25, 34b, 2x4s) failed to convert his start. SNGPL lost their last five wickets for a paltry total of 13 runs. Asif Afridi and Khalid Usman bowled in tandem to share nine wickets among them as the former bagged his ninth five-wicket haul. WAPDA copped a big blow at the start of their second innings as opening batter Hassan Abid Kiyani bagged a two-ball duck. Muhammad Akhlaq (21 not out, 59b, 2x4s, 1×6) and Ahmed Shehzad (43 not out, 59b, 8x4s) carved an unbeaten 64-run partnership before stumps were drawn and erased SNGPL’s 36-run lead while building a small lead. In another fifth-round fixture of the President’s Trophy, HEC scored 231-8 in their allotted 80 overs in reply to PTV’s 216, taking a mere 15-run lead on day two.

Continuing from their overnight score of 111-3, HEC lost Saad Khan (24, 51b, 2x4s) early. Debutant Obaid Shahid (57 not out, 149b, 3x4s) scored a gutsy unbeaten half-century to help his team inch closer to PTV’s first-innings total.

Published in The Daily National Courier, January, 11 2024

Like Business on Facebook, follow @DailyNCourier on Twitter to stay informed and join in the conversation.