UBL overpower SSGC as Shehzad saves HBL

KARACHI: Fast bowler Sohail Khan and spinner Mohammad Asghar shared seven wickets to enable United Bank Limited (UBL) to overwhelm Sui Southern Gas Company (SSGC) by 149 runs in their first round Group II game of the Super Eight stage of Quaid-e-Azam Trophy at Niaz Stadium, Hyderabad, on Wednesday.
Chasing 302, SSGC, who had taken 27 runs lead, failed to put up a graceful show with the bat and were bowled out for only 152 in 43.5 overs in their second innings. Test opener Sami Aslam (27), Asif Zakir (27), skipper Fawad Alam (26) and Mohammad Nizam (20) were the leading scorers.
Sohail (3-31) was the real hero who broke the back of SSGC by removing Umar Amin (0), Awais Zia (9) and Asif Zakir in quick succession. Left-arm spinner Asghar did the rest by blowing the tail within no time, returning with figures of 4-26 in 8.5 overs.
Young medium-pacer Sadaif Mehdi (2-25) also bowled well.Sohail, who had picked 5-72 in the first innings, finished with impressive match tally of 8-103.UBL, who had conceded lead, declared their second innings at 328-8 after resuming at 325-8.
An SSGC team official said that there was nothing special in the wicket for bowlers but their batsmen did not apply themselves.“There was nothing dangerous in the track. Most of our batsmen threw their wickets,” the official told ‘The News’.
However, he was hopeful that his side would make a strong comeback in their coming matches.He praised Sohail for the way he bowled in his first spell. The win helped UBL open their account with six points. UBL posted 252 in their first innings. In response, SSGC scored 279.
In a Group I game, here at the NBP Sports Complex, skipper Ahmed Shehzad blasted a spectacular 148 to save Habib Bank Limited (HBL) as they held Mohammad Hafeez-led Sui Northern Gas Pipelines Limited (SNGPL) to a draw.
SNGPL took three points due to their first innings lead.After being forced to follow-on, HBL began their second innings at 67-1 and reached 291-6

by the end of the match.
The 26-year-old Shehzad, who was batting on 36, played a captain’s knock to rescue his side.Shehzad, who hit 21 fours and one six in his 265-ball knock, shared 107 for the second wicket with opener Salman Afridi, who scored 39 off 110 balls. Salman, who was batting on 24 at the end of the third day, smacked five fours.
Shehzad then put on 135 for the third wicket with Test discard Imran Farhat, who played a solid knock of 48 off 143 balls. The left-hander smashed six fours.
This was the 12th first-class century from Shehzad.All-rounder Ammad Butt remained not out on 15.Young medium-pacer Hussain Talat was the pick of the bowlers with 3-39 in 13 overs. Medium pacer Asad Ali picked 2-67. Test leggie Yasir Shah (1-62) got little help from the track which allowed 1004 runs to be scored at the cost of 26 wickets.
Yasir finished the show with 5-112.SNGPL posted 511 all out in their first innings. In response, HBL were bowled out for 202 and were forced to follow-on. The second round will begin from Saturday.