President’s Trophy: Azhar Ali’s 50th century in first-class cricket

President’s Trophy: Azhar Ali’s 50th century in first-class cricket

Saad Naseem also scored a century, Afaq Afridi took 6 wickets, Muhammad Ramiz took 5 wickets.

Karachi, 4 January 2024: Sui Northern Gas Pipelines Limited (SNGPL) found themselves in the driving seat against Khan Research Laboratories (KRL) as Azhar Ali smashed his 50th first-class ton on the second day of fourth round in President’s Trophy Grade I 2023-24. Meanwhile, State Bank of Pakistan (SBP) inched closer to victory as Water and Power Development Authority’s (WAPDA) batting lineup fell flat in both innings. Ghani Glass finished day two in a strong position against Higher Education Commission (HEC) after a strong all-round display.

SNGPL vs KRL at National Bank Stadium, Karachi

SNGPL started from their overnight score of 22-0 and scored 349-7 in their allotted 80 overs, in reply to KRL’s 281-9. Azhar Ali (140, 206b, 9x4s, 2x6s) brought up his 50th first-class hundred, becoming the ninth Pakistan player to do so. The opening partnership was worth 125 runs as Abid Ali (61, 108b, 9x4s) was removed by Maaz Sadaqat. He also got rid of Omair Bin Yousuf (31, 63b, 1×4) and Kamran Ghulam (10, 21b, 1×4).

Batting at number five, skipper Asad Shafiq (69, 50b, 3x4s, 3x6s), contributed with a brisk half-century to help SNGPL take a crucial 68-run lead. Maaz bagged three wickets while Umer Khan dismissed one batter.

By the end of the day, KRL had scrapped their way to 56-2 in 17 overs, as they trail by 12 runs with eight wickets left. Ali Zaryab (25 not out, 56b, 3x4s) and Imran Rafiq (2 not out, 10b) will be on the crease for KRL at the start of day three.

SBP vs WAPDA at State Bank Stadium, Karachi

SBP were set a target of 40 against WAPDA as stumps were drawn on day two. Earlier in the day, SBP started their innings from the overnight score of 77-4. Rameez Aziz (71, 127b, 7x4s, 1×6) contributed with a dogged half-century after nightwatchman Mohammad Ilyas was removed early by Akif Javed. Mohammad Mohsin chipped in with a fine half-century to help his team gain a valuable first-innings lead of 82.

Akif was the pick of the WAPDA bowlers as he dismissed four batters. Naqeebullah Masood picked up two wickets while Irfanullah Shah and Khalid Usman bagged a wicket each.

WAPDA continued to lose wickets at regular intervals in their second innings as they managed a meagre total of 122. Mohammad Saad (39, 73b, 6x4s) top-scored while Umar Abid Kayani (19, 28b, 3x4s) and Khalid Usman (17, 24b, 2x4s) failed to convert their starts.

Afaq Afridi wreaked havoc with the ball as he picked up a six-wicket haul in 12 overs, giving away 38 runs. Aftab Ibrahim, who came in as a concussion substitute for Mohammad Ilyas, chipped in with three wickets while Nisar Ahmad dismissed one batter.

Ghani Glass vs HEC at UBL Sports Complex, Karachi

Ghani Glass lead by 362 runs as they finished the day with 330-5 in their second innings. Earlier in the day, HEC were bundled out for 189 in 38.5 overs, only adding 49 runs to their overnight score facing a deficit of 32 runs. Ghazi Ghouri (66, 77b, 8x4s) resisted with a fine half-century. Mohammad Rameez Jnr bagged his fourth five-wicket haul while Shoaib Akhtar picked up four wickets. Shiraz Khan dismissed one batter.

Ghani Glass opening batters Sharjeel Khan (16, 12b, 4x4s) and Moeez Ghani (11, 34b, 1×4) fell for paltry scores. First-innings centurion, Tayyab Tahir (28, 58b, 2x4s, 2x6s) was removed by pacer Aqib Liaqat.

Skipper, Saad Nasim (115, 127b, 11x4s, 6x6s) dominated the innings with a quality century taking his personal tally of first-class tons to 11. He also shared a fifth-wicket 184-run partnership with Saeed Ali (97 not out, 150b, 11x4s, 2x6s). After Saad’s departure, Shahbaz Javed (35 not out, 50b, 5x4s) and Saeed stitched a 57- run unbroken partnership.

Aqib Liaqat picked up two wickets while Asadullah Hamza, Waseem Akram and Haris Khan bagged one wicket each.

Scores in brief:

SNGPL vs KRL at National Bank Stadium

KRL 281-9, 80 overs (Imran Rafiq 67, Sarmad Bhatti 53, Maaz Sadaqat 42 not out; Arif Yaqoob 4-83, Mohammad Ali 2-40, Mubasir Khan 1-63) and 56-2, 17 overs (Ali Zaryab 25 not out, Abdul Faseeh 13, Azan Tariq 12; Mubasir Khan 2-6)

SNGPL 349-7, 80 overs (Azhar Ali 140, Asad Shafiq 69, Abid Ali 61; Maaz Sadaqat 3-83, Umer Khan 1-163)

SBP vs WAPDA at State Bank Stadium

WAPDA 140 all out, 43.1 overs (Umar Abid Kayani 32, Umar Akmal 24; Nisar Ahmad 5-30, Afaq Afridi 2-22, Mohammad Ilyas 2-44, Mohammad Abbas 1-30) and 122 all out, 40.2 overs (Mohammad Saad 39, Umar Abid Kayani 19, Khalid Usman 17; Afaq Afridi 6-38, Aftab Ibrahim 3-24, Nisar Ahmad 1-22)

SBP 222 all out, 66.5 overs (Rameez Aziz 71, Mohammad Mohsin 59, Zain Abbas 37; Akif Javed 4-69, Naqeebullah Masood 2-68, Irfanullah Shah 1-40, Khalid Usman 1-31,)

Ghani Glass vs HEC at UBL Sports Complex

Ghani Glass 221 all out, 67.5 overs (Tayyab Tahir 103, Shahbaz Javed 71; Wahaj Riaz 4-39, Aqib Liaqat 3-75, Asadullah Hamza 2-18, Haris Khan 1-63) and 330-5, 77 overs (Saad Nasim 115, Saeed Ali 97 not out, Shahbaz Javed 35 not out; Aqib Liaqat 2-80, Asadullah Hamza 1-29, Waseem Akram 1-54)

HEC 189 all out, 38.5 overs (Ghazi Ghouri 66, Haris Khan 35; Mohammad Rameez Jnr 5-60, Shoaib Akhtar 4-49, Shiraz Khan 1-25)