Patron's Trophy Grade II: PWD lift Trophy in the rain-affected Final

Bazid Khan hit a magnificent 121 to help Public Works Department lift the Patron' s Trophy in the rain-affected final played against Sui Gas at the Lahore Cricket Association ground, Lahore.

The last two days of this four-day encounter were completely washed out due to the rain, which started on the evening of the second day, and due to its ferocity, ensured that PWD take the trophy on the basis of first innings lead.

Bazid, the son of former Pakistan captain, Majid Khan, drafted his innings with utter prudence as he played the bowling on merit. He was, however, was not alone in his efforts. First, it was Shahzad Malik, at the opener's slot, who led his side out of danger after Zahid Ghouri had lost his wicket with only two on the board. Shahzad added 47 for the second wicket with Imran Khan Jnr (31 off 29 balls) and then 81 for the third wicket with Bazid before being out at the individual score of 60, which contained 6 fours.

Still it was Bazid upon whom the PWD innings revolved. He faced 186 ball during his stay at the crease and hit 7 fours and one six to help his side surpass the opposition's first innings score of 285 in 90 overs.

After losing five wickets for 186, PWD looked in earnest danger of going down the drain. However, Bazid had some other ideas. He joined hands with his captain, Saad Wasim, to carry the score close to 285. Bazid completed his century in the process with the help of five fours. The highlight of his innings, however, were the ground strokes that the played with fluency and ease to all parts of the ground.

He did not lose his concentration until after making 121 when, in an attempt to hoist Hafeez out of the ground, he gave a simple stumping chance to the wicket keeper.

Bilal, meanwhile, carried on the good work. He completed his fifty just after the team had crossed the 285-run mark. He was out after making a fine 59 (118 ball), at the total of 314. PWD reached 318 for nine in their first innings quota of 90 overs, thus, taking a handy first innings lead.

Earlier, Sui Gas, the winners of the round robin league, posted 285 on the board after being put into bat by the opposition. The main architect of their innings was the left-handed stylish opener, Ali Hussain.

Ali played a flawless innings as he added 104 for the first wicket with Mohammad Hafeez (32). After losing the wicket of their captain's wicket early, he took the score to 170 along with Sohail Idrees (49). And when it looked that their team would post a big total on the board, he just lost his concentration. Trying to heave one out of the ground, he spooned a simple catch to the man at short fine leg. He made 102, which contained 15 fours and a mighty six that disappeared behind the parapet fencing the eastern part of the ground.

The fall of Ali's wicket triggered a mini collapse in which Sui Gas lost three wickets for 24 runs. There was a slight respite for them in the form of a 56-run partnership between Kashif Nizami (20) and Saleem Mughal (59). However, wickets just began to tumble after that. This procession did not end until the last wicket fell in the 88th over. Saleem was the last man out, as he became one of the Fahim Ahmed's three victims. Mansoor also bowled well for PWD bagging three wickets for 69.

Sui Gas had only one ball in their second innings when heavens opened up in Lahore, and thus, rendered impossible the remaining of the match.