KARACHI: Northern defeated Southern Punjab, while Khyber Pakhtunkhwa (KPK) beat Balochistan in the ninth round of Quaid-e-Azam Trophy (QEAT) on Tuesday.
In the third match of the on-going ninth round, Northern resumed their innings at an overnight score of 421/9, started well, adding a valuable 41-runs into their overnight score. The side, eventually, finished at 462 in their first innings.
Trailing by 224, Southern started their second innings, could not get going, crumbled to 219 all-out in their second innings. Only Mohammad Imran was their notable performer with the bat, scoring a gritty 91. He remained the top scorer for his side in the second innings. Tayyab Tahir, too, showed fightback, but, could only manage to score 31.
Nauman Ali was the star performer for the Northern, taking six wickets for just 92 runs. Whereas, Kashif Ali, too, was impressive, taking three wickets. The bowling heroics helped Northern thump Southern by an innings and five runs.
In the first match of the penultimate round, KPK sealed an emphatic victory over Balochistan, defeating the later by 145 runs.
Chasing 281, Balochistan resumed their innings at 38/3, could only add 97 runs for their remaining seven wickets. The side, eventually, bundled out for 135 in the second innings.
For Balochistan, only Shan Masood showed fightback, scoring 70 runs. The rest of their batters could not contribute significantly.
For KPK, returning Sajid Khan, starred; picking six wickets for just 28 runs. Sameen Gull, too, was impressive with his two wickets.
In another ninth round match, table-toppers Sindh, eyeing victory as their opposition, Central Punjab, looking in trouble, chasing 307.
Resuming at an overnight score of 142/5, Sindh batters, showed fightback, adding 196 runs for their last five wickets. The skipper, Asad Shafiq, played a tremendous knock; scoring 97 runs, missing his century by just three runs.
Sohail Khan, too, chipped in, and scored 73 runs, while Mohammad Hassan scored an astonishing 49. Sindh, in the end, scored 338 runs in their second inning.
Chasing 307, Central, looking in trouble; losing five wickets for just 55 runs.
Sindh’s premium fast bowler, Sohail, fired for his side; taking three wickets for a mere 13 runs.
Rizwan Hussain (21*) will resume the run chase for his side on the final day.
