KARACHI: Northern’s batters, Faizan Riaz and Umer Amin, both scored hundreds to put their team in the driving seat in the Quaid-e-Azam Trophy’s ninth-round match against Southern Punjab.

Resumed at an overnight score of 54/3, Umer and Faizan played valiant knocks and partnered strongly to get their side to amass a massive total of 421/9 at stumps.

The pair put on a massive 308-runs partnership for the fourth wicket and helped their side get into a commanding position.

Faizan scored 168 off 268 balls with 22 fours and two sixes for his 13th first-class century, while the skipper, Umer, scored 158 off 271 balls with 22 fours and one six for his second century of the tournament.

For Southern, Ali Usman picked four wickets, while Naseem Shah and Mohammad Ilyas picked two wickets apiece.

In the second match of the ninth round, Central Punjab declared their innings at 187/9 after securing a 32-runs lead. Their opposition, Sindh, in reply, scored 142/5 before the stumps called.

Central, resuming at an overnight score of 78/3, Abid Ali and Muhammad Saad looked to stretch their partnership before Saad dismissed on 49. Abid, on the other hand, missed his century; scoring 98 runs before being dismissed by Tabish Khan. Abid remained the top-scorer for his side.

Tabish and Abrar Ahmed each took three wickets for Sindh, while Sohail Khan took two.

In the second inning, Sindh began the proceeding; trailing by 32-runs, halted by a poor start. However, their captain, Asad Shafiq played a gritty knock, scoring a half-century but no other batter could hold on for long. The batter remained not-out on 56 before stumps called.

In another ninth-round match of QEAT, Khyber Pakhtunkhwa (KPK) bowled out for 264 in the second innings, setting a 281-runs target for Balochistan.

Ashfaq Ahmed top-scored with a brilliant 73, followed by Rehan Afridi, who scored a handy 48.

For Balochistan, Taj Wali starred picking seven wickets in the second innings, finishing with 11 wickets in the match.

Chasing 281, Balochistan again, started poorly as the side lost three wickets cheaply. The side will resume the run chase with 38/3 on Tuesday. Shan Masood (10*) and Taimur Ali will resume Balochistan’s run-chase.

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