Nawaz, Fayyaz help Peshawar first innings lead against Shalimar

PESHAWAR—Nawaz Ahmed and Muhammad Fayyaz shined with bat by helping Peshawar to take 165 runs first innings against Lahore Shalimar on the third-day of the four-day match of the Qauid-e-Azam Trophy being played here at Arbab Niaz Cricket Stadium on Monday.
Lahore Shalimar while batting first setup 246 runs for the loss of all wickets after playing 88.5 overs with only two tail-enders Ali Raza not out 56 off 103 balls with nine boundaries and M. Saeed (55) off 77 balls were the prominent contributors. Haroon Rasheed (35), Suleman (26), Ahmed Butt (29) were the other main runs takers.
For Peshawar right-arm medium fast bowler Nouman Habib clamed five wickets for 46 runs only in his 19.5 overs, Muhammad Imran and right-arm spinner Muhammad Fayyaz took two wickets each while Riaz Afridi got one wicket. And in replay of 246 runs, Peshawar made 411 runs for seven wickets declared to get 165 runs lead over first innings.
Before Nawaz Ahmed polished innings of 109 runs off 199 balls with 15 boundaries and one six, both top order batsmen Muhammad Fayyaz and Naveed Khan guided the team with their vital role by providing 129 runs in the second wicket partnership as opener Fawad went for only two runs in the very first over.
But both Naveed 40 off 156 balls with six boundaries and Fayyaz 71 runs off 157 balls with 10 boundaries rescued their team with their superb much needed innings. After Naveed departure, Nawaz Ahmed controlled one end and smashed 109 runs off 199 balls with 15 boundaries and one six and thus guided Peshawar to gain 165 runs lead.
Skipper Akbar Badshah (38) and tail-enders Mehfooz Sabri and Shehzad Khan proved very good against Lahore bowlers by cracking them all around the wicket. Mehfooz made not out 58 off 156 balls with seven boundaries and one six and Shehzad made 57 off 65 balls with eight boundaries and a six.
Thus Peshawar after gaining 165 runs lead, declared the innings for 411 runs for seven after playing 132 overs. For Lahore Shalimar right-arm medium fast bowlers - Asif Raza and Muhammad Saeed - took three wickets each for 110 runs and 117 runs respectively while Muhammad Hussain got one wicket for 107 runs.
Tuesday is the last day of the match. Saleem Badar and Islam Khan supervised the match while Noor Muhammad acted as scorer.
Protease hope to stage a comeback in the third One Day International (ODI) at Faisalabad with high morale and better performance, said Mickey Arthur, the South African team coach.
He was addressing a press conference at Iqbal Stadium here Monday. Pinpointing factors responsible for their poor performance at Lahore in the second ODI, he said that both matches were played on the same wicket which became worn-out by the time the second encounter took place.
He observed that the Faisalabad wicket being a batting paradise, would help elicit excellent performance. Regarding team changes for the Faisalabad ODI, he said it has not been decided yet, however, the team management would announce a decision on the morning of the match.
He said that the rule for a change of ball after 30 overs would be a positive step and help revive the cricket thrill till the last ball. “It will also enable players score better even in the last overs,” he added.
Regarding security concerns, he expressed no apprehension and said that his team management was in constant touch with Pakistani authorities, while the players are concentrating on their play. He said that his team has performed well till now and will continue to keep the flag flying in the remaining matches of the series. Earlier, the South African players participated in a practice session in the Iqbal Stadium.