Karachi, May 16: An enterprising century opening partnership by Hamza Ishtiaque and Hafiz Asad for the KCCA-KPT U-15s handed the initiative to the home side on the first day of their two-day match against the visiting ACC Select XI.

Hafiz Asad retired after reaching his 100. Runs were scored at a fair clip all day, with only the tireless left-arm pacer Mohammad Kasman of Malaysia consistently threatening the batsmen.

In terms of match-strategy the ACC XI were hampered at this early stage of the tour by being new to each other and having to get to know each other’s capabilities. The captain, Irfan Ahmed of Hong Kong gave every one except the wicket-keeper a bowl.

Nevertheless, bowling out the Karachi team for 301 after they were at one stage 224 for 2 was a fine effort. When batting, the ACC XI adopted a largely patient attitude against the challenging Karachi attack. They were 80 for 2 off 30 overs at close of play. Dipen Shrestha of Nepal is 65 not out overnight and richly deserves a century.

Filed May 17 2005