National Bank of Pakistan (NBP) succumbed to an innings and 11-run defeat at the hands of Zarai Taraqiati Bank Limited (ZTBL), on the final day of their Patrons Trophy match at Karachi on Tuesday.
The writing was very much on the wall for them after ZTBL had compiled a big total of 440 in their first innings and National Bank crashed to a poor 202 all out in reply. At 134 for 3 overnight, in their follow-on innings, they still needed another 104 runs to make ZTBL bat again. Instead, after having reached 160 for 4, their last six wickets managed to add only a further 67. Fawad Alam, the left-handed batsman from Karachi who had top-scored in the first innings with 56, fought a lone battle for National Bank.
He stayed at the crease for two and three-quarter hours, faced 114 deliveries for his unbeaten 47 that included four boundaries. Rao Iftikhar, the ZTBL captain, finished with figures of 4 for 41.
ZTBL, who still remain at third place in Pool A behind Habib Bank and National Bank, will now meet Pakistan Customs in a third-round match, starting at the same venue from Friday. National Bank play against Habib Bank from the same date here at the United Bank Limited (UBL) Sports Complex Ground No.1.
An inspired spell of fast-medium bowling by Jaffer Nazir helped Khan Research Laboratories (KRL) gain an outright win as they beat Sui Northern Gas Pipeline Limited (SNGPL) at Rawalpindi. Jaffer's 5 for 51 had SNGPL dismissed for 142 in their second innings. KRL chased the 133 needed for victory in 23 overs only, though they lost six wickets in the process.
Jaffer, who also plays for Sialkot, in fact top-scored for KRL in their first innings with 43. Yesterday, he added another worthy 28 off just 17 deliveries as his team chased the target. He also earned the distinction of completing 400 wickets in a first-class career that started in 1997-98. He has now appeared in 101 such matches.
KRL now meet table toppers Water and Power Development Authority (WAPDA) at the same venue. On the same day, SNGPL will be playing against Pakistan International Airlines (PIA) at the Sheikhupura Stadium.
Pakistan Customs had to be content with only a draw and three points, at the end of their Patrons Trophy match against Attock Group, at Karachi.
Attock Group lost their last wicket at 318 which gave the opposition a 61-run first- innings lead. That was enough to provide them the first innings points. During the rest of the day, with nothing more at stake, the Pakistan Customs batsmen had a rollicking time posting a second innings score of 278 for 4.
Kashif Siddiq made amends for his first innings duck to score 110 yesterday. With Usman Arshad, who remained unbeaten with 119, his second-wicket partnership was worth 140. Kashif, son of international umpire Siddiq Khan, hit 14 boundaries. Usman, son of former Pakistan batsman Arshad Pervez, hit 11 boundaries in his knock,which came off 127 balls.
Earlier, Attock Group centurion Pervez Aziz added only one run to his overnight score, his 114 lasting 278 balls. His last-wicket stand with Asim Butt (24 not out) produced 71 runs.