CricInfo Home
News Home

NEWS FOCUS
Rsa in Pak
NZ in India
Zim in Aus

Domestic
Other Series

Day 1: Waqar Younis (5-54) wrecks Gujranwala batting

RAWALPINDI, March 12: Pakistan Test fast bowler Waqar Younis produced a top-class performance to capture five for 54 as Rawalpindi seized initiative against Gujranwala on the opening day of the four-day Quaid-i-Azam Trophy Grade-I match at the Pindi Cricket Stadium on Friday.

However, in a rearguard action Aamir Wasim (79) and Hafiz Khalid (41) shared a 124-run partnership for the eighth wicket to help Gujranwala reach 224 in their first innings.

Rawalpindi were 45 for one in 13 overs at close of play with opener Mohammad Naveed (30) and night-watchman Irfan Bhatti (6) at the crease after Muazzam Ali fell to pacer Tahir Mughal for six.

The reason for Rawalpindi's bolstering performance was guest star Waqar Younis who is being played in the trophy fixture on the instructions from Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) - demanding the speed merchant should prove his fitness since Younis is one of the probables in the 19-member national World Cup squad.

Bowling with fire, Waqar demolished the Gujranwala batting by claiming the top five wickets. Three of his victims failed to reach double figures.

Later, Rawalpindi playing with five regular pace bowlers, further consolidated their position when Naeem Akhtar and Mohammad Akram struck in quick intervals to reduce the visitors to 90 for seven after Gujaranwala had opted to bat.

However, Hafiz Khalid and the doughty left-hander Aamir Wasim dug their side out of trouble. Aamir Wasim's 79 came off 125 balls in 164 minutes with nine fours and a six.

Pacer Naeem Akhtar then wrapped the visitor's innings by claiming last two wickets. Waqar Younis finished with five for 54 in 11 overs while Naeem claimed three for 33.