Shahzad hits fastest first-class century surpassing Misbahul Haq

LAHORE, Sep 24 (APP): Muhammad Shahzad of Pakistan Television (PTV) became the fastest Pakistani batter to first-class hundred surpassing former captain Misbahul Haq when he hit 49-ball century against Kingsmen Academy on Thursday.

Shahzad bettered Misbahul Haq’s 56-ball record equalling test century which he scored against Australia in Abu Dhabi in 2014.

The opening day of the third round of Al Batal Presents ABS Developers President’s Trophy Grade-I saw a blazing century from Pakistan Television’s Muhammad Shahzad, while Markhor IT Solutions’ Atiq-ur-Rehman shone with an unbeaten century as action unfolded across Islamabad, Peshawar and Abbottabad.

Pakistan Test captain Babar Azam returned to first-class cricket for Oil and Gas Development Company Limited (OGDCL) and spent 60 overs in the field as Khan Research Laboratories had opted to bat first at Abbottabad Cricket Stadium.

At Diamond Cricket Ground in Islamabad, PTV were asked to bat first by Kingsmen Academy and they closed the day with 285-7 in 58 overs after bad light forced early stumps. None of the PTV batters crossed 43-run mark except Shahzad who was at his belligerent best striking 114 off 62 balls including 12 fours and eight sixes.

Shahzad, who scored his sixth first-class century, walked in at 34-3 in 15.1 overs and fought back against Kingsmen bowlers especially Muhammad Ilyas and Muhammad Umar who had accounted for the first three wickets. Shahzad went berserk as he shared a 143-run stand with Mohammad Taha (43, 72b, 6x4s).

Left-arm pacer Zia-ul-Haq provided the breakthrough to his team removing Shahzad in the 32nd over as PTV lost four for 108. No.6 batter Sharoon Siraj didn’t let Kingsmen to attack from both ends as he held one with a 85-ball 53 not out hitting eight fours and two sixes.

For Kingsmen, Muhammad Ilyas picked up three for 95, while Shoaib Afridi accounted for two wickets.

At Imran Khan Stadium, Peshawar, MIT Solutions managed 258-3 in 79 overs against Sui Northern Gas Pipelines Limited (SNGPL) and were led by no.5 batter Atiq-ur-Rehman. The right-handed batter backed up his previous round’s 142 with unbeaten 136 off 197 balls with the help of 17 fours.

Atiq’s third first-class ton had brought stability to the MIT innings after they were 40-3 with SNGPL pacers Naseem Shah, Muhammad Imran and Mohammad Azab claiming the first three poles. Naseem accounted for Hasnain Nadeem, Imran outfoxed the dangerous Farooq and Azab got rid of Salman Khan Jnr – the latter two were also fresh off their tons in last round.

Right-hand batter Syed Awad Naqvi frustrated SNGPL bowlers with a gutsy 65 not out with the help of 225 balls and hit seven fours. Awad and Atiq shared an unscathed stand of 218 runs.

At National Ground in Islamabad, Ghani scored 263-6 in the 72 overs that were possible on the day with Mirza Tahir Baig (67, 109b, 10x4s), Ali Razzaq (62 not out, 95b, 8x4s, 2x6s) and Sharjeel Khan (56, 85b, 7x4s, 3x6s) scoring half-centuries.

State Bank of Pakistan, who opted to bowl first, had taken the first five wickets for 149 runs and looked primed to bundle out Ghani soon but resistance from Ali Razzaq and Haseebullah (29, 54b, 1×4) did not let Ghani slip. Ali scored his fifth first-class half-century and will be joined by Muhammad Rameez Jnr on the crease on day two.

At Abbottabad Cricket Stadium, KRL were again without Shaheen Shah Afridi as he is still recovering from the bruises on his lower back caused diving over the boundary rope in the first round.

KRL’s bid to bat first looked to be successful in the first hour as the opening duo of Abdul Faseeh (36, 98b, 5x4s) and Shahzaib Khan (27, 37b, 6x4s) put on a 52-run opening stand. The tide turned in OGDCL’s favour when they took five for 96 with Mohammad Hasnain removing Iftikhar Ahmed (29, 44b, 6x4s) and Mohammad Faiq (21, 59b, 3x4s).

Test all-rounder Razaullah, who was playing his first competitive game since his debut in Birmingham Test, accounted for KRL’s centurion from last two rounds – Imran Rafiq (11, 28b, 1×4) to return figures of 14-3-52-1. Mohammad Hammad Khan and Mohammad Salman had removed the KRL openers.

Sarmad Bhatti (48 not out, 60b, 10x4s) and wicketkeeper-batter Asim Ali Nasir (12 not out, 40b, 1×4) then steered the KRL innings to safety with an unbeaten 54-run stand in the face of hostile OGDCL bowling attack containing four genuine pacers.

Scores in brief – 3rd round – Day 1 Stumps

Match 9 – State Bank of Pakistan v Ghani at National Ground, Islamabad

Ghani 263-6, 72 overs (Mirza Tahir Baig 67, Ali Razzaq 62 not out, Sharjeel Khan 56, Haseebullah 29, Hussain Talat 27; Shahid Aziz 2-46)

Match 10 – Khan Research Laboratories v Oil and Gas Development Company Limited v Khan Research Laboratories at Abbottabad Cricket Stadium

KRL 202-5, 60 overs (Sarmad Bhatti 48 not out, Abdul Faseeh 36, Iftikhar Ahmed 29, Shahzaib Khan 27, Mohammad Faiq 21; Mohammad Hasnain 2-35)

Match 11 – Markhor IT Solutions v Sui Northern Gas Pipelines Limited at Imran Khan Cricket Stadium Peshawar

MIT Solutions 258-3, 79 overs (Atiq-ur-Rehman 136 not out, Syed Awad Naqvi 65 not out)

Match 12 – Pakistan Television v Kingsmen Academy at Diamond Cricket Ground

PTV 285-7, 58 overs (Muhammad Shahzad 114, Sharoon Siraj 53 not out, Mohammad Taha 43, Taimur Khan 31; Muhammad Ilyas 3-95, Shoaib Afridi 2-74).