LAHORE: The second day of the fourth round of President’s Trophy Grade-I saw Khan Research Laboratories (KRL) extend their dominance over State Bank of Pakistan (SBP) with a monumental first innings lead at the SBP Sports Complex here on Friday.
KRL were 365-8 in 128 overs at close of play in their first innings and 259 runs ahead of SBP as Waqar Ahmed and Sarmad Bhatti ground the opposition to dirt with gritty centuries and an unrelenting 129-run stand for the fifth wicket after they got together at 158-4.
Waqar (138, 244b, 17x4s) smashed his seventh first-class century, while Sarmad remained unbeaten on 100 off 257 balls at close having hit 10 fours. For SBP, Niaz Khan picked up three wickets, while Rameez Aziz and Shahid Aziz dismissed two batters each.
Oil and Gas Development Company Limited (OGDCL) and Sahir Associates played out a grinding day at the KCCA Stadium as the former managed 220-6 in 88 overs in their first innings at the close of play on day two, trailing the latter by another 28 runs.
Opening batter Umar Siddiq led the way for OGDCL with a dogged half-century (79, 180b, 7x4s) after putting on 86-run stand with fellow opener Israrullah (30, 66b, 5x4s). No.3 batter Haroon Arshad stayed in the middle for 71 balls scoring 23 runs inclusive of two fours.
Sahir Associates made inroads with five quick wickets as OGDCL went from 125-1 to 166-6 before Danish Aziz (43 not out, 87b, 2x4s) and Asif Afridi (22 not out, 73b, 1x4, 1x6) led them out of trouble with an unbeaten 54-run stand. For Sahir Associates, Rewayat Khan and Hafiz Mohammad Suleman returned identical figures of three for 56 in 23 and 28 overs, respectively.
Earlier, Sahir resumed from their overnight score of 245-8 and could only add three runs to their total as Asif finished with seven for 73 in 36 overs – his best bowling figures in an innings in first-class cricket.
At the National Bank Stadium, Pakistan Television (PTV) were struggling at 99-5 in 36.5 overs in their second innings after conceding a 72-run deficit against Sui Norther Gas Pipelines Limited (SNGPL).
PTV’s Mohammad Taha was unbeaten on 25 off 101 balls with the help of three fours at close, while no.5 batter Mohammad Suleman fell for a 70-ball 25 hitting three boundaries as well. SNGPL’s Shehzad Gul (2-23), Shahnawaz Dahani (2-38) and Sajid Khan (1-23) were vital in keeping PTV’s second innings lead to a slim 27.
