Bureau Report
Karachi: Hard-hitting left-handed batsman Sharjeel Khan recorded a first-class century after almost seven years, smashing 121 runs from 126 balls against Southern Punjab here at the National Stadium, which took his team’s second innings lead to 278.
In the fourth round fixture of Quaid-e-Azam Trophy, the 31-year-old Sharjeel reached his century in 99 balls and posted a 130-run stand for the third wicket with Saud Shakeel, who is unbeaten on 45 and will resume the fourth day’s play with Hasan Mohsin (5). Sharjeel struck 16 fours and three sixes in his 179-minute stay at the crease Sindh were 190 for three in 48 overs when stumps were drawn. Earlier, Southern Punjab opener Zain Abbas missed out on his fifth century as he was dismissed by Shanawaz Dhani on 95. The left-handed batsman managed to add only 20 runs to his overnight score. He struck 14 fours in his 162-ball knock.
Zain’s overnight partner Saif Badar made 43 after resuming the day on 27. Salman Ali Agha scored 67 off 89, powered by 12 boundaries. SP were dismissed for 295 in 86 overs. The pick of the bowlers for Sindh was Tabish Khan who finished with four for 83 while Shahnawaz took three for 74.
Khyber Pakhtunkhwa vs Central Punjab (UBL Sports Complex)
KP edged closer to their second win of the competition as they required 62 runs with seven wickets in hand to beat title defenders Central Punjab. KP stands at 108 for three at the close of play on Sunday with Adil Amin and Mehran Ibrahim unbeaten on 39 and 13 respectively.
Earlier, off-spinner Sajid Khan recorded his third five-wicket haul of the 2020-21 season as he added two more wickets to his tally. The 27-year-old returned six for 101 from 36.2 overs of which 11 were maiden. He also claimed 10-wickets per match as he dismissed four CP’s batsman in the first innings. As such, his figures for the match are 10 for 157. Pacer Arshad Iqbal also took three wickets for 42 runs.
For CP, Mohammad Saad and Saad Nasim posted half-centuries. Mohammad Saad top-scored with a 190-ball 77, while Saad Nasim made 52 runs from 70 balls. Both batsmen struck 10 boundaries apiece. Bilawal Bhatti also added valuable runs and remained unbeaten at 48, which included six fours and a six.
Northern vs Balochistan (NBP Sports Complex)
Balochistan finished the day’s play at 223/4 and had an imposing 366-run second innings lead. Opener Azeem Ghumman holder their innings over the course of his 125-ball stay. He along with Akbar-ur-Rehman posted 113 runs for the third wicket. Akbar is undefeated on 80 from 89 balls. The 37-year-old hit eight fours and two sixes.
Northern were bowled out for 275 courtesy of Kashif Bhatti, who took four for 114, while Taj Wali and Mohammad Talha accounted for two batsmen each.
All-rounder Mohammad Nawaz registered his career’s 12th half-century after resuming the day on 39. He scored 67 from 166 balls, which included four fours.
