Imam scored an unbeaten 118 off 196 deliveries to put Oil & Gas Development Company Limited (OGDCL) in a strong position against Ghani. He had smacked 11 fours by stumps after opening the innings earlier in the day.

He added 88 runs with his opening partner Ali Asif (42) before strengthening his team’s position with a 173-run partnership for the second wicket with Saad Khan (88). In the process, the 30-year-old notched up his 17th first-class century as OGDCL finished the day on 277-3 in response to Ghani’s 232 in the first innings.

Meanwhile, Rizwan starred in an otherwise poor batting effort from Sui Northern Gas Pipelines Limited (SNGPL) against Khan Research Laboratories (KRL). They were skittled for only 195 runs, but Rizwan top-scored, hitting 64 runs off 81 deliveries with 10 fours before getting out to Muhammad Danial Ali Khan.

Rizwan and Imam hit statement knocks after England tour investigation

This was a comeback game for both players, after being permitted to play for their respective teams in the President’s Trophy amid the ongoing investigation by Pakistan’s National Cyber Crimes Investigation Agency (NCCIA).

Rizwan and Imam were among the seven players who were sent back home midway through the disastrous England tour, after the Lord’s Test. Rizwan was in the middle of a poor run of form in the series and was criticised for his manner of dismissal in the second Test.

Imam also drew criticism after he opted not to bat in either of Pakistan’s innings after suffering a grade-1 tear in his left calf. The PCB’s chief selector and director of high performance, Aaqib Javed, publicly questioned Imam’s injury and also warned him of an inquiry.

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