KARACHI: Central Punjab defeated Balochistan, while Khyber Pakhtunkhwa (KPK) beat Southern Punjab in the eighth round of Quaid-e-Azam Trophy (QEAT) on Thursday.

In the first match of the on-going eighth round, Central resumed their innings at an overnight score of 69/1, chasing 211, were off to a shaky start as the side lost three wickets after adding just 20 runs on the final day of their fixture against Balochistan.

The side quickly slipped to 81/4, and the momentum appeared to have shifted in Balochistan’s way. However, Muhammad Saad and Ali Shan showed some resistance, recorded a valuable 21-runs partnership before Shan dismissed on 22 off 38 balls.

Saad, then, put on a match winning partnership with Saif Badar, recording an unbeaten 100-partnership to get their side over the line. Both batters scored fifties and remained not out. Saad scored unbeaten 63 off 123 balls including eight boundaries, while Badar smashed unbeaten 55 off 69 balls laced with five boundaries and a six.

For Balochistan, Kashif Bhatti and Akber-Ur-Rehman each picked two wickets, while Gohar Faiz struck out a batter.

Following the victory, Central moved to the fourth position, while Balochistan remained at the bottom.

In the third match of the ongoing round of QEAT, KPK’s Sahibzada Farhan scored century to drive his side to the victory.

Chasing 219, KPK openers failed to provide a solid start, the side, losing first two wickets for just 26 runs. Musadiq scored just nine, while Israr Ullah could only score two. Muhammad Ilyas, was the bowler to dismiss both the batters.

Ilyas’ superb spell pulled his side back into the game, but, Ashfaq Ahmed and Sahibzada Farhan batted sensibly and partnered strongly to help their side clinch the match. The pair added 167 runs into the team’s total before Ashfaq dismissed on 77.

Farhan, smashed magnificent hundred, scoring 112* laced with 19 boundaries and a six. KPK, eventually, beat Southern by 7 wickets.

The victory against Southern, earned KPK third spot on the points table, while Southern remained at second.

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