KARACHI: Iftikhar Ahmed played captain’s knock as Khyber Pakhtunkhwa (KPK) posted 252-5 against Northern at Stumps on Day 1 of Quaid-e-Azam Trophy 2021-22 final here at National Stadium.

Iftikhar partnered exceptionally well with Kamran Ghulam as they scored 104 runs together. Kamran missed his century and managed to score 72 runs with the help of 11 boundaries.

He and Ashfaq Ahmed (45) took KPK to competitive position after they lost two quick wickets.

Resuming at 77-2 after Tea on Day 1, KPK lost Ashfaq after he alongside Kamran added just seven runs.

Kamran stood strongly thereafter, joining hands with Iftikhar Ahmed. They both scored 73 runs together when Dinner was called by the umpires and KPK walked off for dinner at 158-3. Kamran was standing not out at 61 whereas Iftikhar made 46.

Earlier, defending champions KPK were sent into bat first in the final match of the event. They lost Fakhar Zaman (4) and Sahibzada Farhan (0) to start off their inning. But, the middle-order batting line consolidated runs well for them.

For Northern, Waqas Ahmed managed three wickets while Mubasir Khan and Mohammad Nawaz took a wicket each.