Sajid leads Peshawar with five-wicket haul

LAHORE: Peshawar captain Sajid Khan delivered an outstanding performance, claiming his 16th five-wicket haul in first-class cricket to put his team in a commanding position against Lahore Whites on day two of the second triangular stage fixture in the Quaid-e-Azam Trophy 2024-25.

At the Abbottabad Cricket Stadium, Peshawar secured a crucial 116-run first-innings lead after bundling out Lahore Whites for 216 in 56.3 overs, in response to their own total of 332. Sajid’s 5-56, supported by Mir Hamza’s 3-58 and Niaz Khan’s 2-36, dismantled Lahore’s batting lineup despite a fighting 75 from Obaid Shahid.

Resuming at their overnight score of 293-7, Peshawar added 39 valuable runs to finish at 332. Sajid Khan played a gritty knock of 43 off 76 balls, including seven boundaries. Lahore Whites struggled as they lost early wickets to Mir Hamza and Niaz Khan. Skipper Saad Nasim’s 22-ball cameo of 36, featuring four sixes, and Obaid Shahid’s resilient 75 off 105 balls with 11 boundaries provided some resistance. However, Sajid’s skillful bowling proved too much for Lahore Whites to handle.

Peshawar’s second innings began on a shaky note, courtesy of a fiery spell from Naseem Shah, who picked up 2-1 in three overs. Ahmed Bashir added another scalp as Peshawar stumbled to 14-3 at stumps.

Despite the early setbacks, Peshawar maintained a 130-run lead with Nabi Gul (11 not out) and Sajjad Ibraheem (1 not out) set to resume the innings on day three.

Scores in brief (Day 2 of 4):

Triangular stage – Match 2 - Peshawar vs Lahore Whites at Abbottabad Cricket Stadium, Abbottabad

Peshawar lead by 130 runs

Peshawar 332 all out, 82.2 overs (Maaz Sadaqat 95, Zubair Khan 71, Mohammad Haris 45, Sajid Khan 43, Nabi Gul 22; Ahmed Bashir 3-54, Naseem Shah 2-79, Ubaid Shah 2-95) and 14-3, 6 overs (Nabi Gul 11 not out; Naseem Shah 2-1)

Lahore Whites 216 all out, 56.3 overs (Obaid Shahid 75, Saad Nasim 36, Imran Dogar 27, Attyab Ahmed 25; Sajid Khan 5-56, Mir Hamza 3-58, Niaz Khan 2-36.