Bureau Report
Karachi: Defending champions Central Punjab turned the opening day of the Quaid-e-Azam Trophy final in their favor against Khyber Pakhtunkhwa after a dominant partnership between Kamran Ghulam and Adil Amin for the fourth wicket.
KP at stumps managed to score 285/7 after captain Khalid Usman opted to bat first against Hasan Ali-led Central Punjab at National Stadium, Karachi.
KP’s openers started the innings cautiously after veteran Waqas Maqsood removed hard-hitting Fakhar Zaman in the 11th over.
Fakhar, who made 17 off 35 balls, was caught behind by wicketkeeper Ali Shan on the team total of 31.
The 33-year-old Waqas Maqsood in his following over dismissed Rehan Afridi by rattling his stumps to reduce the dominant KP side to 43/2.
However, left-handed opener Israrullah continued to hold one end by playing his shots. He played at an impressive strike-rate and scored 61 runs off 69 balls with the help of 10 fours.
His dominance at the middle was ended by emerging all-rounder Qasim Akram, who with his off-spin disguised Israrullah as the ball edged and wicketkeeper Ali completed an easy catch.
Central Punjab’s command took a hit as the tournament’s leading run-scorer, Kamran partnered with Adil and posted a strong 132-run stand for the fourth wicket.
The 25-year-old made 76 runs off 130 deliveries with the help of 15 fours. He was removed by left-arm spinner Ahmed Safi Abdullah with the help of keeper Ali.
Adil was later sent back to the pavilion courtesy of a ripper by skipper Hasan. He made 75 runs off 202 deliveries with the help of 10 fours.
KP’s leader Khalid Usman (3) and spinner Sajid Khan (6) were soon dismissed in quick succession by Bilawal Iqbal and Hasan Ali respectively.
Zohaib Khan remained not out on 29 off 80 balls at stumps. Waqas and Hasan was the pick of the bowlers, picking two while Bilawal, Qasim, Abdullah bagged one each.
