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At a time when players like Kamran Akmal, Salman Butt and Mohammad Asif are making the headlines, a former navy trainee, Habib Bank Limited batsman Fakhar Zaman, has thrust himself into the spotlight with a remarkable hundred. His unbeaten 157 neutralised the hype surrounding the trio and changed the context of the game by handing HBL a hefty lead of 222 runs against Water and Power Development Authority (WAPDA), with ten wickets in hand at stumps on the third day at the National Stadium in Karachi.He was born in Katlang - a small town in Mardan District in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa - before moving to Karachi at the age of 16 to join the Pakistan Navy. He had a year-long schooling at Pakistan Navy School Bahadur in Karachi, where he learned how to survive the seas before parting ways to embrace cricket formally. His team-mates call him fauji (soldier).The left-handed batsman was the second-highest run-scorer in the Pakistan Cup earlier this year, with 297 runs in five innings at 59.40, including a knock of 115 that set up Khyber Pakhtunkhwas 151-run win in the final. His ability to bowl left-arm spin makes him a utility player and he is in contention for a place in the national side after appearances for Pakistan A. In the ongoing Quaid-e-Azam Trophy season, he has already racked up 650 runs at an average of 54.16.His hundred gave HBL control of the game after theyd lost the first-innings advantage with WAPDA sneaking in a 42-run lead. Zaman was flawless with this stroke-making, hitting 19 fours and never letting his strike-rate fall below 70. But it was his discipline that stood out.The idea was to play it like a one-day innings, Zaman told ESPNcricinfo. Its really tough to judge the seam [of the pink ball] as it turns black after some time, so I was focusing on the ball fully, which was the main reason why I was playing freely. I am happy that I have contributed to the team and put us in the driving seat. We are optimistic now. There was always belief that and we didnt give up after the first-innings collapse.Zaman took 12 balls to score his first runs, in the seventh over, before taking off with three boundaries off Waqas Maqsood in the eighth over. The pitch had already started to slow down, but it wasnt really a flat track as much as, in Zamans words, a modest one. After he whirled past his half-century, he took a nasty blow to his left index finger from a rising Mohammad Irfan delivery. But his only worry, he said, was to negotiate the shrewdness of Asif. He faced 14 balls from the medium-pacer and scored 12 runs against him, but was helped along by a drop when he flicked him to Zahid Mansoor at square-leg when he was on 125.He is the kind of bowler who threatens with his tight line. He isnt quick but his line is teasing and he doesnt allow you to score runs. The first hour with the new ball was a bit tough but when he went off after three overs, I had more scoring options. I just played my natural game, the way I had when I scored 115 in the Pakistan Cup.When asked about the prospects of national selection, Zaman shyly pointed out that he would refrain from urging the selectors through the media. Of course, playing for Pakistan is a dream for every player, but what can I say? From what I understand, they know everything and theyve told me to be consistent and keep performing. So I will keep trusting my instincts and my performances and I am sure my number will come. Tom Nelson . There was no hesitation from the 40th-ranked Pospisil, from Vernon, B.C., who admitted that he cut back on his training sessions over the last few days to conserve energy as the long ATP season finishes next week at the Paris Masters. Scott Evans . LOUIS -- Valtteri Filppula assisted on three of Tampa Bays four goals, and the Lightning beat the St. https://www.cheapnfljerseyschina.co/butch-byrd-jersey-for-sale/ . -- Five former Kansas City Chiefs players who were on the team between 1987 and 1993 filed a lawsuit Tuesday claiming the team hid and even lied about the risks of head injuries during that time period when there was no collective bargaining agreement in place in the NFL. Don Shy . "It doesnt get any better than that," Giambi said. "Im speechless." The Indians are roaring toward October. Giambi belted a two-run, pinch-hit homer with two outs in the ninth inning to give Cleveland a shocking 5-4 win over the Chicago White Sox on Tuesday night, keeping the Indians up with the lead pack in the AL wild-card race. Chris Peace . The Celtics closed out their first preseason under Stevens on Wednesday night with a 101-97 victory over the Brooklyn Nets, who rested a lot of their lineup including former Celtics Kevin Garnett and Paul Pierce. SPARTANBURG, S.C. -- Ahmad Thomas scored 18 points, MaCio Teague had 16 and UNC Ashville pulled away down the stretch to defeat SC Upstate 73-57 on Thursday night.Teague scored all 16 of his points in the second half, hitting all six of his shots, including four 3-pointers, as the Bulldogs (1-2) outscored the Spartans (1-2) 47-27 after the break.Ashville trailed 30-26 at the half and didnt pull even until Raekwon Miller followed Teagues 3, to make it 48-48 with 11:12 remaining. Thhomas followed with a dunk and a jumper and Teague made another 3 for a 55-48 lead.ddddddddddddfter an Upstate basket, Teague hit another 3 to start a 16-0 run, knocking down another 3-point shot to help break the game open. Will Weeks layup made it 71-50 with 1:54 to play.Deion Holmes hit five 3s and scored 22 points for Upstate, 14 in the second half. ' ' '