Inspired by a fine 118 from opener Wajid Ali, the combined North West Frontier Province-Baluchistan batsmen held on for a draw against champions Habib Bank Limited (HBL) on the final day of the season in their Pentangular Cup 2007 match at the NBP Sports Complex, Karachi.
Requiring 590 to win the match on the final day after HBL declared on 510 for nine in their second innings, the NWFP-Baluchistan batsmen contributed significantly and built patient partnerships to end the day on 336 for seven. Apart from Wajid's century, Riaz Kail (51), Sabir Hussain (44) and Umar Javed (40) offered resistance to the ten different bowlers HBL tried.
Abdur Rehman, the highest wicket-taker in the tournament, could only add one wicket to his five in the first innings as Humayun Farhat, HBL's wicketkeeper, ended up as the highest wicket-taker of the innings with two.
Sind notched up their first win of the tournament under the watchful eye of their coach and national selector Saleem Jaffar as they dismissed Khan Research Laboratories (KRL) for 188 on the final day of their Pentangular Cup 2007 match at the National Stadium, Karachi.
Requiring a further 275 at the start of the day's play, KRL kept losing wickets regularly and only a 55-run fifth wicket partnership carried KRL to a respectable score. The stand between Usman Saeed (42) and Zulfiqar Jan (60) was broken by off-spinner Tahir Khan from a ball that failed to rise above ankle height.
Ali Raza offered resistance at the depth with 21 but became the second of Rizwan Ahmed's victims as KRL lost by 147 runs.
The prize distribution ceremony for the Pentangular cup 2007 was held straight after the match. HBL were presented with the winner's cheque as Punjab came second in the tournament. Imran Farhat (HBL) was declared the best batsman, Abdur Rehman (HBL) the best bowler, Mohammad Wasim (KRL) the best fielder while Ahmed Said (NWFP-Baluchistan) was declared the best wicket-keeper.