Asghar helps Karachi Blues gain lead

KARACHI: Spinner Mohammad Asghar picked 5-116 to enable Karachi Blues to secure lead against Hyderabad on the second day of their first round Group B outing of the Quaid-e-Azam Trophy Grade-II at Niaz Stadium, Hyderabad, on Sunday.

Asghar bowled superbly as Hyderabad were bowled out for 357 in their first innings in response to Karachi Blues’ total of 398-9. Shoaib Leghari and Kashif Bhatti scored 94 runs each. Shoaib hit 14 fours from 123 balls and Kashif banged eight fours in his a-run-a-ball knock.

Saad Khan (71) also hit a fine fifty which included ten fours. Having secured a 41-run lead, Karachi Blues were 43-3 in their second innings at stumps.

In another Group B game, here at the TMC Ground, Faraz Aziz scored a fine unbeaten 69 to enable Larkana to gain lead when they scored 211-9 in the stipulated 83 overs in their first innings after resuming at 77-4 in response to Dera Murad Jamali’s total of 161.

Faraz smashed six fours and one six from 127 balls. Zahoor Ahmed captured 5-29. DM Jamali reached 83-4 in their second innings at close.

In a Group A outing, at Multan Cricket Stadium, Multan gained a huge 206 runs lead when after dismissing Bahawalpur for a paltry total of 135 they piled up 341-8 in the stipulated 83 overs after resuming their innings at 88-4.

The hall-mark of Multan’s innings was a solid 106 from Maqbool Ahmed, who smashed 17 fours and one six from 156 balls. Saeed Anwar Junior belted 94 off 149 balls, banging 11 fours and one six. Zia-ul-Haq hit 58.

Mohammad Imran got 3-66. Hasnain Ashraf and Mohammad Imran Junior picked two wickets each.

Bahawalpur were 104-2 in their second innings at stumps.

At Dring Stadium, Bahawalpur, Abbottabad were in a strong position as, having gained a 91-run lead, they reached 193-1 in their second innings at close against Azad Jammu and Kashmir (AJK).

Sajjad Ali Senior hit 102 off 106 balls, hitting 14 fours. Imran Shah was at the crease on 72 which had six fours. After scoring 287 in their first innings, Abbottabad dismissed AJK for 196 after the Kashmiris had resumed their innings at 77-1. Hassan Raza hit 66 and Usman Maroof made 59. Left-arm spinner Kamran Ghulam got 5-33. Test pacer Junaid Khan captured 3-58.