Shera stars in Karachi Blues victory

KARACHI: Left-arm pacer Zohaib Shera took 12 wickets to enable Karachi Blues to demolish Quetta by an innings and 16 runs on the second day of their three-day Pool A opener at Multan Cricket Stadium on Thursday.

Shera, who had taken 5-19 in the first innings, clinched 7-52 in 15.5 overs to dismiss Quetta for 208 in their second innings after they had conceded a huge 224 runs first innings lead.

Opener Shehzad Tareen struck fine 90 off 208 deliveries with 13 fours. Ramiz Raja belted 58 off 45 balls, striking seven fours and a six.

Shoaib Khan made 31.

Earlier, in response to Quetta’s first innings score of 72, Karachi Blues declared their innings at 296-9 after resuming at 271-7.

Saifullah Bangash hit fine 52 off 66 deliveries which featured eight fours. International Sohail Khan scored 39 off 37 balls, hammering four fours. Paceman Gohar Faiz got 3-77.

At Marghzar Ground in Islamabad, Sialkot crushed Dera Murad Jamali by an innings and 54 runs.

After conceding a 244-run first innings lead, DM Jamali were folded for 190 in their second innings.  Sajid Hussain (42) and Nasir Khan (40) were the prominent scorers.

Atta-ur-Rehman, Mohammad Kamran, Mohammad Abbas and Aziz-ur-Rehman took two wickets each.

In response to DM Jamali’s first innings score of 141, Sialkot declared at 385-6 which they scored thanks to Ali Khan’s splendid 169. Opener Naeemuddin made 60. Zahoor Ahmed took 3-80.

At Iqbal Stadium, Faisalabad, after conceding a 182-run lead, Azad Jammu and Kashmir (AJK) were 160-4 in their second innings against Abbottabad.

Hassan was at the crease on 84 in which he had struck seven fours.

Fazal-i-Rabbi and Ikramullah grabbed two wickets each.

Earlier, in response to AJK’s first innings total of 110, Abbottabad resumed the day at 156-3 and were bowled out for 292. Riaz Kail and Khalilullah scored 59 runs each. Fawad Malook made 57.

Shadab Majeed and Abdul Shakoor claimed three wickets each. Fahad Arif grabbed 2-59.

At Dring Stadium in Bahawalpur, after gaining a 135-run first innings lead Multan reached 103-1 in their second innings against Bahawalpur.

In response to Multan’s first innings total of 365-5 declared, Bahawalpur were bowled out for 230 after resuming the day at 26 without loss.

Zeeshan-ul-Haq belted 61, while Rafay Ahmed made 47.  International left-arm spinner Zulfiqar Babar was the main destroyer as he took 6-49.