Northern’s Faizan Riaz and Southern Punjab’s Tayyab Tahir continued to dominate their respective oppositions as they scored remarkable double-centuries on day two of round two of Quaid-e-Azam Trophy 2021-22.
Faizan Riaz’s 213 propelled Northern to an imposing 455 for nine against Central Punjab at the Gaddafi Stadium. The right-handed middle-order batter from Islamabad brought up his first-class career’s third double-century as he built on his overnight 146 in front of nine High-Definition cameras, which are beaming live action around the world through PCB’s official YouTube channel.
This was also Faizan’s second century of the season in as many matches. He smashed 20 fours from 346 balls.
Faizan had Sarmad Bhatti in company when Northern began the day at 281 for three. The pair could add only three runs to their overnight partnership before Sarmad (82 off 184) became Waqas Maqsood’s lone scalp. The pair added 205 for the fourth wicket.
At the 100-over mark, Northern were 300 for four. As such, Northern bagged three batting points, while Central Punjab took one bowling points.
Wicketkeeper-batter Rohail Nazir scored a solid half-century below the order with 54 off 80, before he became the final wicket of his side’s innings in the 133rd over when he was sent packing by left-arm orthodox Zafar Gohar, who also accounted for Faizan and Mubasir Khan (25 off 69).
With the dismissals of Mohammad Huraira, last match centurion Nauman Ali and Usman Shinwari, pacer Ehsan Adil also finished with three wickets.
Seasoned openers Abid Ali and Ahmed Shehzad provided Central Punjab a solid 68-run start before stumps. Abid made 37 off 67 and Ahmed scored 28 off 44.
Before coming into this match, Southern Punjab opener Tayyab Tahir had never scored a century and he recorded his maiden first-class ton in style as he smashed 221 at a strike rate of over 80 against Balochistan at Multan Cricket Stadium. Tayyab started his day at 181 and scored briskly with Azam Khan (71-ball 85) as the two added 128 in 10.2 overs.
Tayyab smashed 23 fours and four sixes in his 274-ball knock, which helped Southern Punjab thump 457 for the loss of five wickets in 98.5 overs and gathered maximum (five) batting points.
Azam, meanwhile, smashed eight fours and four sixes as he scored his 85 at 120.
Balochistan’s reply was a solid one as Test openers Imran butt and Imam-ul-Haq scored half-centuries, making 65 not out and 71 not out respectively. The pair had added 155 in 56 overs.
At Faisalabad’s Iqbal Stadium, Khyber Pakhtunkhwa’s Niaz Khan recorded a five-wicket haul on debut. The right-arm medium fast’s five for 58 bowled out Sindh for 367 in 110.1 overs. His scalps included Fawad Alam, who scored his 41st first-class century, Mohammad Hasan, Ashiq Ali, Sohail Khan and Mohammad Hasnain.
Sindh captain Fawad made 122 off 252 (13 fours) after beginning the day at 94 and recorded second century of the innings after Saad Khan made 129 yesterday.
Khyber Pakhtunkhwa openers Israrullah (87 not out) and Sahibzada Farhan (72 not out) staged a swift reply with an unbeaten 167-run partnership at 3.80 runs per over. As such, Khyber Pakhtunkhwa will be 200 runs behind Sindh when they resume the innings on day three.
As Sindh were 329 for seven after 100 overs, the batting side bagged three innings points, while Khyber Pakhtunkhwa pocketed two.
Scores in brief:
Central Punjab elected to bowl after winning the toss against Northern at Gaddafi Stadium, Lahore
Northern 455-9dec, 132.5 overs (Faizan Riaz 213, Sarmad Bhatti 82, Rohail Nazir 54, Nasir Nawaz 46; Ehsan Adil 3-60, Zafar Gohar 3-141)
Central Punjab 68-0, 18 overs (Abid Ali 37 not out, Ahmed Shehzad 28 not out)
Innings points – Northern three, Central Punjab 1
Southern Punjab choose to bat after winning the toss against Balochistan at Multan Cricket Stadium
Southern Punjab 457-5dec, 98.5 overs (Tayyab Tahir 221, Azam Khan 85, Imran Rafiq 81, Umar Siddiq 32, Zain Abbas 30; Junaid Khan 2-87)
Balochistan 155-0, 56 overs (Imam-ul-Haq 71 not out, Imran Butt 65 not out)
Innings points – Southern Punjab 5, Balochistan 1
Sindh choose to bat after winning the toss against Khyber Pakhtunkhwa at Iqbal Stadium, Faisalabad
Sindh 367 all out, 110.1 overs (Saad Khan 129, Fawad Alam 122, Sohail Khan 28, Ashiq Ali 26, Mohammad Hasan 25; Niaz Khan 5-58, Imran Khan Snr 3-58)
Khyber Pakhtunkhwa 167-0, 44 overs (Israrullah 87 not out, Sahibzada Farhan 72 not out)
Innings points – Sindh 3, Khyber Pakhtunkhwa 2
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