Quaid-e-Azam Trophy 2021: Sindh eyeing innings win over Balochistan

Sindh further consolidated their strong position on day-two of the sixth-round Quaid-e-Azam Trophy 2021-22 clash against Balochistan while Central Punjab gained a first innings lead over Southern Punjab. The match between Northern and Khyber Pakhtunkhwa remained evenly poised after an absorbing day’s play on Thursday.

Opener Ahsan Ali who scored a century on Wednesday, fell six runs short of his double-century. The right-hander hit 28 fours in his 194 off 220 balls. Middle-order batter Saad Khan contributed 56 off 78 balls as Sindh gained a massive 338-run first innings lead. Khurram Shehzad took three while Akif Javed and Gohar Faiz took two wickets apiece. Balochistan were dismissed for just 96 in their first innings.

Balochistan in their second innings had reached 132 for five in 32 overs by close, still a 206-run deficit with two days play left in the match. Leg-spinner Abrar Ahmed who had collected his maiden first-class five-fer yesterday, took four second innings wickets today to further increase Balochistan woes.

Sindh collected a total of 11 first innings points while Balochistan had to be content with three first innings points.

In the Punjab derby between Central and Southern Punjab at the State Bank of Pakistan Stadium Karachi which is being live streamed on PCB’s YouTube channel, Central Punjab opener Rizwan Hussain scored a brilliant unbeaten 153 to guide his side to a 20-run first innings lead with five wickets in hand at close of the second day’s play.

The left-handed Rizwan hit 21 fours and one six in his 221-ball stay at the crease. Rizwan added 127 runs for the third-wicket with Mohammad Saad who contributed 61 off 107 balls (nine fours).

Muhammad Imran and Aamer Yamin took two wickets apiece for Southern Punjab, Central Punjab will resume their first innings tomorrow at 248 for five.

In the Northern-Khyber Pakhtunkhwa match at the National Bank of Pakistan Sports Complex Karachi, Adil Amin’s unbeaten 104 off 209 balls (12 fours) helped Khyber Pakhtunkhwa equal Northern’s first innings 250-run total.

Khyber Pakhtunkhwa were at one stage reeling at 77 for six, all-rounder Asif Afridi provided valuable support to Adil as the pair added 129 runs for the seventh-wicket. Asif hit seven fours and two sixes in his 62 off 94 balls.

Before the Adil-Asif partnership, the right-handed Adil added 47 runs for the sixth-wicket with captain Khalid Usman (35), the two started their alliance with their side placed at a precarious 30 for five.

By close, Khyber Pakhtunkhwa had reached 250 for eight after 81.1 overs batting. Kashif Ali took three while Zaid Alam took two wickets for Northern.

Scores in brief:

Balochistan vs Sindh – UBL Sports Complex, Karachi

Balochistan 96 all out, 31.5 overs (Imran Butt 33; Abrar Ahmed 5-23, Sohail Khan 4-26) and 132 for 5, 34 overs (Imran Butt 35, Ayaz Tassawar 34 not out; Abrar Ahmed 4-40)

Sindh 442 all out, 95.2 overs (Ahsan Ali 194, Khurram Manzoor 94, Saad Khan 56; Khurram Shehzad 3-80, Akif Javed 2-54)

Points so far: Sindh 11, Balochistan three.

Southern Punjab vs Central Punjab –State Bank of Pakistan Stadium, Karachi

Southern Punjab 228 all out, 77 overs (Umar Siddiq 85, Salman Ali Agha 61, Waqas Maqsood 4-52, Muhammad Ali 4-57)

Central Punjab 248 for 5, 75 overs (Rizwan Hussain 153 not out, Muhammad Saad 61; Muhammad Imran 2-43, Aamer Yamin 2-56)

Points so far: Central Punjab six, Southern Punjab three.

Northern vs Khyber Pakhtunkhwa –National Bank of Pakistan Stadium, Karachi

Northern 250 all out, 83.4 overs (Mubasir Khan 96, Muhammad Huraira 70; Arshad Iqbal 2-38, Sameen Gul 2-41)

Khyber Pakhtunkhwa 250 for 8, 81.1 overs (Adil Amin 104 not out, Asif Afridi 62; Kashif Ali 3-33, Zaid Alam 2-29)

Points so far: Northern five, Khyber Pakhtunkhwa seven.