The Quaid-e-Azam Trophy 2021-22 day-night final between Northern and Khyber Pakhtunkhwa is on course for an exciting finish as Northern finished day-two at 184 for three in their first innings in reply to Khyber Pakhtunkhwa’s 374-run first innings effort on Sunday at the National Stadium, Karachi.
Shortly before close of play Northern captain Umar Amin (4) was dismissed by Sameen Gul which left the match evenly poised. Northern will start day-three 190 runs behind Khyber Pakhtunkhwa with seven first innings wickets standing.
Northern’s in-form young opening pair of Haider Ali and Mohammad Huraira got their side off to a flying start. The two right-handers played a series of stunning drives as the Khyber Pakhtunkhwa bowlers struggled to find movement off the pitch under lights.
The duo took Northern to 96 for no loss at dinner, shortly after the resumption of play, Huraira was dismissed for 51 off 65 balls (seven fours, one six), the fourth fifty of his maiden first-class season. Off-spinner Sajid Khan dismissed him lbw.
Haider looked poised for his fourth first-class century before falling to Sajid in an attempt to clear the long-on boundary. His 81 came off 131 balls and included 14 fours.
Earlier, resuming at the overnight first innings score of 252 for five, Khyber Pakhtunkhwa were helped beyond the 350-run mark by all-rounder Asif Afridi who scored 68. Asif was involved in useful 39 and 63 run partnerships with Sajid Khan (22) and Mohammad Wasim Jnr (21).
Khyber Pakhtunkhwa were bowled out for 374 shortly after the tea break. For Northern off-spinner Mubasir Khan took four while pacer Waqas Ahmed took three wickets.
Khyber Pakhtunkhwa collected three batting points in the first innings while Northern had to settle for two. After the first 100 overs, Khyber Pakhtunkhwa were 308 for seven.
Scores in brief:
Khyber Pakhtunkhwa 374 all out, 118.2 overs (Iftikhar Ahmed 102, Kamran Ghulam 72, Asif Afridi 68; Mubasir Khan 4-52, Waqas Ahmed 3-94)
Northern 184 for 3, 56 overs (Haider Ali 81, Mohammad Huraira 51; Sajid Khan 2-30)
Match points so far: Khyber Pakhtunkhwa –three. Northern – two.
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