Bureau Report
Karachi: Aamir Yamin bagged three early wickets to help Southern Punjab (SP) restrict Balochistan to 16-4 in the first inning at Day 1’s end in the Seventh Round of Quaid-e-Azam Trophy.
While batting first, Southern Punjab were bowled out for 256 runs courtesy to Balochistan’s bowlers who picked up length earlier. Opener Zain Abbas stood firm and scored 40 runs with the help of four boundaries and a six.
But, later on, SP suffered pressure due to losing wickets at regular intervals. The tournament’s highest run-scorer so far Salman Ali Agha yet again proved himself by scoring 50 runs off 52 balls laced with eight boundaries.
Zahid Mehmood proved to be a surprise package for SP as the right-handed batsman scored run-a-ball 45 with the help of three boundaries and two sixes.
For Balochistan, Taj Wali took three wickets while Umaid Asif, Kashif Bhatti, and Jalat Khan bagged two wickets each.
In reply, Balochistan looked rusty as they lost their four batters for just 12 runs. Imran Farhat scored 3 while Ali Waqas and Akbar-ur-Rehman managed to get only a run each. Azeem Ghumman got out for naught.
Umaid Asif (3*) and Taimur Ali (0*) remained not out for Balochistan and will bat tomorrow.
Besides Aamir, Mohammad Ilyas bagged a wicket from SP.
On the other hand, Asif Ali smashed quick-fire 72 runs off 39 balls with the help of nine boundaries and five sixes to help Northern post 243-10 on Day 1 against Central Punjab (CP).
Northern’s top-order completely failed to stay at the crease as they were reduced to 63-5 with only Umer Amin showing courage to score runs by getting 29 runs. But, Hammad Azam (47) and Mohammad Nawaz (50) scored 97 runs together to take Northern to 163-5.
Asif then showed his power-hitting skills and rescued Northern to 243-10 on an opening day.
Hasan Ali bowled brilliantly for CP as he removed four batters for 48 runs. Bilawal Iqbal bagged three wickets while Ahmed Safi took two.
In reply, CP closed Day 1 at 49-0 with Ali Zaryab (22*) and Bilawal Iqbal (2*). Mohammad Akhlaq got retired hurt for 25 runs.
Meanwhile, Irfanullah Shah took five wickets haul to help Khyber Pakhtunkhwa (KPK) hold Sindh at 229-10 in the first inning of the Seventh Round. Sharjeel Khan provided a quick start to Sindh with his 57 runs knock laced with nine boundaries and a six but after him, nobody stuck at the crease for long.
Asad Shafiq fought hard for Sindh and gained his form back by scoring 60 runs off 111 balls with the help of nine boundaries.
Apart from Irfanullah, Sajid Khan bagged three wickets for 66 runs. In reply, KPK closed Day 1 without any loss for 5 runs. Israrullah (0*) and Musaddiq Ahmed (3*) are at the crease.
