Karachi: Sindh’s captain Sarfaraz Ahmed registered his 12th first-class century against Khyber Pakhtunkhwa at the UBL Sports Complex on Day 2 of the Quaid-e-Azam Trophy second round fixture.
Sarfaraz’s innings of unbeaten 131 included eight boundaries, helping his side to 361. Yesterday, Fawad Alam made 91. Left-arm orthodox spinner Khalid Usman was the pick of the bowlers for KP, picking 3-109 while Sajid Khan picked two.
Khyber Pakhtunkhwa was 136 for four in 50 overs before the close of the day’s play as opener Israrullah batted for the most part of the day.
The left-hander recorded his 26th half-century. His 124-ball 67 included a crucial 63-run second-wicket partnership with his captain Ashfaq Ahmed (18) after Sahibzada Farhan (three) was removed by Tabish Khan with only seven runs on the board.
Sohail Khan picked the price wicket of Israrullah while the other two wickets were taken by off-spinner Ashiq Ali. Sindh added one more bonus points – by the virtue of dismissing three or more batsmen inside 100 overs.
In another match of round two, Northern once again dominated Central Punjab at the National Bank Sports Complex.
Northern resumed their innings at 116/3 and went on to impose a first-inning total of 354, thanks to half-centuries from Umar Amin, Asif Ali, and Hammad Azam.
Umar looked in great touch as he missed out on the century by six runs. He was Ahmed Safi Abdullah, the star performer with the ball for Central Punjab with five for 106. Umar struck 11 fours and a six in his 181-ball stay at the crease.
Asif recorded his career’s fourth first-class half-century with a 90-ball 65. The 29-year-old struck nine fours and a six. Defending champions were 2/64 in their second at stumps, training by 131-run. Captain Azhar Ali was not out on 24 and he will be joined by Usman Salahuddin (7*). – Agencies
