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Day 1: Fazle Akbar's hat trick puts Peshawar on top

Khalid H Khan

KARACHI, March 22: A hat trick by Peshawar's Test speedster Fazle Akbar, who captured seven for 57, hastened Karachi Whites to 248 all out on the opening day of the five-day Quaid-i-Azam Trophy Grade-I National Cricket Championship final here at the National Stadium on Monday.

However, the home team had restored some parity as Peshawar finished on 50 for two in their first innings at close of play.

Pacers Lal Faraz and Asad Ahmed disposed off Asmatullah (5) and Jahangir Khan Senior (0) respectively before opener Yasir Hameed (18) and the in-form Younis Khan (21) came together in an unbroken third wicket stand of 29.

Karachi Whites might have been in dire straits when they lost six for 86 shortly after lunch but a defiant seventh wicket partnership of 149 between the doughty left-handed Asif Mujtaba and wicket-keeper Atiq-uz-Zaman lifted the gloom off the home camp.

But Peshawar were on top for most of the day after Kabir Khan won the toss and decided to field first on a pitch that has a tinge of green.

However, the majority of the Karachi Whites batsmen barring ex-Test man Asif Mujtaba and Atiq-uz-Zaman, did not apply themselves and paid the price for ill-advised selection of strokes.

Fazle Akbar, bowling from the University Road End, started the slide with a burst of three wickets for two runs in 18 deliveries. He trapped Shadab Kabir LBW for five and soon followed with the scalps of Zafar Jadoon (11) and Zeeshan Pervez (8), both holing out to Kabir.

Hasan Raza after hitting a brace of boundaries slashed at a wide delivery in Sajid Shah's first over to Younis Khan in the gully for 13. Skipper Aamir Hanif (2) was given out caught behind when he attempted to sweep Test leg-spinner Mushtaq Ahmed's sixth ball of the match before lunch was taken with Karachi Whites tottering on 79 for five.

Mushtaq, playing as a guest player at the PCB's request, showed no signs of lack in form or fitness despite appearing in only his second match after a gap of almost six weeks. Unfortunately, none of the two Karachi-based national selectors turned up at the ground to assess whether the diminutive spinner is in shape for the forthcoming World Cup.

The afternoon session produced 142 runs in 29 overs for the loss of just one wicket with Mujtaba and Atiq in total command of the situation against a wilting Peshawar attack.

Mujtaba reached 84 at tea having completed his 50 in 116 minutes off 82 balls with seven fours. Atiq was more adventurous as he cut loose to slam eight fours in 50-ball half-century in 90 minutes.

The 134-minute long partnership was finally terminated by Fazle Akbar in the final session when Atiq, after adding six more to his tea time score of 69, was caught by Wasim Yousafi with the total on 232. Atiq's career-best 75 off 84 balls included 13 fours.

Mujtaba was gradually inching towards a well-deserved century until Fazle struck in devastating style to get rid of Nadeem Khan (caught at mid-off after playing too early to a slower ball), Lal Faraz (struck on the pads by full-pitched one) and Asad Ahmed (bowled by a yorker) in three successive deliveries. His 18-ball dream spell earned him four wickets for eight runs.

Mujtaba, batting with great authority, was left stranded on a 154-ball 93 not out - his highest score this season - which lasted 221 minutes and included 12 boundaries.

Day 2: Wajahat hits century as Peshawar take lead

Khalid H Khan

KARACHI, March 23: Test batsman Wahajatullah Wasti struck a magnificent unbeaten century to give Peshawar first innings lead of 60 runs over Karachi Whites on the second day of the Quaid-i-Azam Trophy Grade-I National Cricket Championship final here at the National Stadium on Tuesday.

Wajahat was batting on a chanceless 100 in an unbroken fifth partnership of 179 with the left-handed Akhtar Sarfraz (68) as Peshawar closed the day on 308 for four in reply to Karachi Whites' score of 248.

Wajahat, scorer of twin centuries in the Asian Test Championship match against Sri Lanka at Lahore earlier this month, chose the most appropriate moment to notch up his sixth first-class century as chief of the national selection committee chairman Wasim Bari and member Salahuddin Ahmed witnessed the match.

The highlights of his stunning knock were square cuts and the drives, especially on the off-side and mid-on area. He rarely looked in trouble as he played with ease while showing unruffled temperament.

The 24-year-old middle-order batsman was in splendid touch throughout his 220-minute stay against a rather depleted bowling that sorely lacked variety, having just three specialist bowlers in pacers Lal Faraz and Asad Ahmed and Test left-arm spinner Nadeem Khan.

Skipper Aamir Hanif, who bowls brisk medium-pacers, and Nadeem Khan were clearly the best of the bowlers on a pitch which is perfect for batting. Although both bowled with accuracy and control, they found scant help from the track as well as the other bowlers.

To make matters worst, the home team lost the services of Lal Faraz, who came off the field in the final session with a torn webbing at the base of his right thumb after he, unwisely, tried to stop a powerful drive by Akhtar Sarfraz on his follow through. Aamir Hanif finished the incomplete over.

Cashing on the opportunities, the visiting batsmen simply toyed with the bowling, with all four batsmen on view today passing 50s.

Resuming the day on 50 for two, the overnight pair of Yasir Hameed (18) and Younis Khan (21) carried their unfinished 29-run third wicket partnership to 103 in 128 minutes before both went shortly before lunch.

Yasir was first to go when he went for a sweep against Nadeem Khan but missed the line to be adjudged LBW by umpire Siddique Khan for 57 off 127 balls. The opener's 172-minute innings was spiced with 10 boundaries.

Younis, who made a career-best 202 against Sargodha in the final league match at Peshawar last week, was extremely unlucky to go when he played back while anticipating a lifting delivery from Aamir Hanif. But the ball skidded through straight just about four inches off the pitch to strike the batsman's right leg in front of the stumps.

Younis's 56 off 137 balls in 138 minutes included nine fours. His departure brought Akhtar and Wajahat together as Peshawar went into lunch at 131 for four in 52 overs with batsmen on one apiece.

The two-hour afternoon session saw another 112 runs scored in 33 overs. Both Akhtar and Wajahat completed their respective half-centuries before tea.

Wajahat beat his partner to the 50-mark striking three boundaries in Asad's over to reach 53 in 115 minutes off 103 balls with 10 fours. Akhtar went to 50 with his sixth four in 130 minutes off 115 balls.

However, the final 90 minutes of the day belonged to Wajahat as he outscored Akhtar. The right-hander made 41 of the 65 runs scored in the post-tea session with Akhtar contributing 18.

Wajahat went to his century with a glorious cover-drive off Aamir Hanif in penultimate over of the day with his 18th four in 218 minutes off 169 balls.

Day 3: Peshawar scent historic win

Khalid H Khan

KARACHI, March 24: A fiery 19-ball burst from 18-year-old Test pace bowler Fazle Akbar put Peshawar on the verge of a historic victory over Karachi Whites on the third day of the Quaid-i-Azam Trophy Grade-I National Cricket Championship final here at the National Stadium on Wednesday.

After conceding a massive lead of 278 on the first innings, Karachi Whites stumbled to 73 for three in their second innings. With two days still left in the match, the home team will require nothing short of a miracle to prevent the visitors from lifting their first national title. They still need 205 to make Peshawar bat for a second time in the match.

Fazle Akbar, who captured seven for 57 in the first innings including a hat trick, ripped out the left-handed openers Zafar Jadoon (5) and Shadab Kabir (12) and Zeeshan Pervez (13) to leave Karachi Whites in deep trouble at 53 for three. However, Asif Mujtaba and Atiq-uz-Zaman just about managed to survive until stumps with a few alarms.

However, Karachi Whites' problems have been further compounded by the injuries to Hasan Raza and Lal Faraz. Hasan was forced to retire hurt with a painful right elbow after being struck by a sharp, lifting delivery from left-arm pacer Kabir Khan 12 minutes before close of play.

Lal Faraz, on the other, is almost unlikely to bat after having two stitches inserted in his bowling hand on Tuesday evening.

The visitors, after resuming first innings on 308 for four, reached their highest total this season - a huge 526 in 175.4 overs before their innings terminated at 2.45 p.m.

Akhtar Sarfraz (68) and Wajahatullah Wasti (100) extended their overnight fifth wicket partnership from 179 to 233. Their marathon stand in 69.4 overs lasted 273 minutes.

Akhtar was unfortunate to emulate his partner's feat of scoring a century when he fell two short of the mark to a shooter from Aamir Hanif. The left-hander's 98 off 218 balls in 283 minutes included 14 hits to the fence.

Wajahat, having survived close calls against Aamir and Nadeem Khan on several occasions, went for 135 as he attempted to cut part-time leg-spin of Hasan Raza but only succeeded in getting a thick edge to wicket-keeper Atiq-uz-Zaman. He batted, in all, for 325 minutes and faced 257 deliveries. His knock was laced with 24 boundaries.

But Karachi Whites were not given any respite even after lunch was taken with Peshawar on 407 for six as Sajid Shah and Wasim Yousufi proceeded to put on 65 for the seven wicket in 68 minutes with the latter playing a courageous innings despite being troubled by a badly bruised little finger on his left hand.

Wasim was caught at square leg after making an enterprising 45 off 61 balls with six fours. Later in the day, he preferred to field in the deep instead of keeping wickets with Yasir Hameed donning the gloves.

It was Sajid's solid 51 not out off 180 balls in 191 minutes that lifted Peshawar past the 500-mark with useful contributions from Mushtaq Ahmed and skipper Kabir Khan. Sajid hit three fours while last man Fazle Akbar had the honour of striking the first six of the match when he lifted Nadeem over the long-on fence before he was out LBW to the very next delivery.

Left-arm spinner Nadeem Khan toiled manfully through 48.4 overs but had just two wickets to his credit. Aamir Hanif and Hasan Raza also chipped in two wickets each.

Day 4: Peshawar clinch Quaid Trophy with innings victory

Khalid H Khan

KARACHI, March 25: Peshawar completed a memorable innings and 33-run victory over Karachi Whites to lift their first Quaid-i-Azam Trophy Grade-I National Cricket Championship here at the National Stadium on Thursday.

The five-day final reached a premature conclusion 57 minutes after lunch on the fourth day as Karachi Whites capitulated for 245 in the second innings to suffer one of their most humiliating defeats in the domestic cricket history.

It was a remarkable triumph for Peshawar because the majority of their team members arrived here only five hours before the match got under way on Monday.

Chairman of the Domestic Tournament Monitoring Committee, Prof Sirajul Islam Bukhari, who is also the honorary secretary of the Karachi City Cricket Association (KCCA), presented the trophy to a delighted Peshawar skipper Kabir Khan.

Test fast bowler Fazle Akbar was adjudged man-of-the-match by match referee and ex-Test wicket-keeper Ashraf Ali for his match-winning haul of 10 for 126.

Bukhari said on the occasion that the prize-money for the winners, the runners and the man-of-the-match will, hopefully, be announced later by the Pakistan Cricket Board.

Peshawar's great achievement in the last final of the premier national championship this century was chiefly due to the fact that their bowling was far, more superior to the home team's performance.

The Karachi Whites bowling, in sharp contrast, was woefully lacking in penetration that allowed the Peshawar batsmen to pile up 526 runs. Both the pacers Lal Faraz and Asad Ahmed resorted to short-pitched bowling on a pitch that was fully exploited by the visiting trio of Kabir Khan, Fazle Akbar and Sajid Shah.

The home team's batting, apart from the gutsy Test discard Asif Mujtaba (in both innings), wicket-keeper Atiq-uz-Zaman (in the first) and Hasan Raza (in the second), flopped miserably twice in the match.

It should be mentioned here that Karachi Whites were handicapped by the loss of two key players, Test all-rounder Shahid Afridi (away on national duty) and the in-form batsman Mahmood Hamid (who had to pull out of the final at the last minute with an ankle injury).

But for the largest cricket association in the country, winners of the trophy on 16 previous occasions, it was a moment of disaster for the manner in which its team threw in the towel without a hint of any fight at all.

After resuming the day on 73 for three, Karachi Whites lost wickets at regular intervals after reaching lunch at 218 for five. Asif Mujtaba once again batted the longest as he fought almost a lone battle to top score with 80 to follow his unbeaten 93 in the first knock. The left-hander's brave 102-ball innings in 176 minutes was laced with 13 boundaries before he was eighth out.

Hasan Raza, who retired hurt at 59 for three on Wednesday with his score on six, made 41 in a 77-run fifth wicket partnership with Mujtaba in 74 minutes. The 17-year-old Test batsman was brilliantly held down the leg side by Wajahatullah Wasti, acting as a wicket-keeper, when he tried to glance a wayward delivery from Sajid.

Aamir Hanif made 24 in a 75-run stand for the sixth wicket with Mujtaba in just over an hour.

The end came swiftly when Kabir Khan captured the scalps of Aamir, Mujtaba and the left-handed Asim Kamal in five balls without conceding a run.

And when Sajid Shah yorked Asad Ahmed the celebrations in the Peshawar camp had already started.

For skipper Kabir Khan it was a case of double rejoicing because he flew back home immediately, after the match was over, to get married later in the evening.

Earlier in the season, both Kabir and Sajid shared the man-of-the-match award with nine wickets each in Habib Bank's emphatic innings win over ADBP in the Patron's Trophy Grade-I final at the same venue before lunch on the third day.