Balochistan & Northern on top, Central Punjab vs Sindh in balance after first day of Quaid-e-Azam trophy round 5
Round five of Quaid-e-Azam trophy resumed on Monday after a short hiatus where after first day of action Balochistan and Northern are in control in their respective games while the third game between Sindh and Central Punjab hangs in the balance heading into the second day.
Balochistan vs Khyber Pakhtunkhwa:
Imran Butt and Imran Farhat scored unbeaten centuries as Balochistan scored 341 for three in 90 overs on Day One against Khyber Pakhtunkhwa in their four-day first-class Quaid-e-Azam fifth-round fixture at Quetta’s Bugti Stadium.
Butt scored 135 and Farhat 114 when stumps were drawn. The pair added 227 runs for the unbroken fourth-wicket partnership in the first day.
The hosts stuttered early on and lost Azeem Ghumman with 27 runs on board after Khyber Pakhtunkhwa captain Sahibzada Farhan opted to bowl without contesting the toss.
But, the right-handed Butt crafted a useful second-wicket stand of 85 runs with opener Awais Zia, who scored 69 off 74 balls with 10 fours and a six.
Butt then went on to record his seventh first-class century. He was well supported from the other end by the 37-year-old Farhat who completed his 36th first-class century.
For Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, Usman Shinwari and Imran Khan Sr. managed to claim a wicket each for 39 and 59 runs, respectively.
Northern vs Southern Punjab:
Opener Zeeshan Malik struck a maiden unbeaten double century and an unbeaten century by Umar Amin on the opening day gave Northern control in their four-day Quaid-e-Azam Trophy round five, first-class match against Southern Punjab at the Jinnah Stadium, Sialkot on Monday.
The two dominated the day’s play after the fall of the first wicket at 41 (Haider Ali 23). The pair added 343 runs for their unbroken second wicket alliance as Northern ended the day at an imposing 384 for 1.
Northern captain Rohail Nazir won the toss and opted to bat first, the visitors made a solid start and maintained it throughout the day.
Zeeshan reached his century off 134 balls, he hit 13 fours and four sixes while reaching the three figures mark. Umar completed his century in the final session of the play, the left-hander reached the three figures mark off 162 balls with the help of 15 fours.
Zeeshan converted his maiden first-class century into a double century shortly before close of play. The right-hander finished the day 204 not out off 241 balls, his innings included 27 fours and five sixes while Umar ended the day 153 not out.
Rahat Ali took the only wicket to fall.
Central Punjab vs Sindh:
Leaders Central Punjab reached 263 for seven on Day One of the four-day first-class Quaid-e-Azam Trophy fixture against Sindh after half-centuries by wicketkeeper-batsman Kamran Akmal and opener Ahmed Shehzad.
Kamran became one of the two victims of left-arm spinner Kashif Bhatti after scoring 90, while Ahmed scored 60 before perishing to Mir Hamza, who also claimed two wickets.
With the 110-over cut-off for collecting bonus points just 20 overs away, both the sides will be aiming to make the most of the morning session on Tuesday.
Sindh, opting to bowl first without contesting the toss, justified their decision when they reduced Central Punjab to 38 for three that included the scalps of Salman Butt (16), Azhar Ali (1) and Umar Akmal (13).
Tabish Khan caused the initial damage, claiming two wickets before Ahmed Shehzad switched up an 86-run fourth-wicket partnership with Usman Salahuddin (38) to repair the damage.
Kamran Akmal then put on 66 runs for the sixth-wicket with Zafar Gohar (12) before both the batsmen returned to the hut in a space of three runs.
Ahmed’s 134-ball innings included eight fours, while Kamran was as aggressive and attacking as always while clubbing 13 fours and two sixes in a 99-ball knock. Usman hit three fours in a 133-ball outing.
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