Northern vs Southern Punjab Archives

Nauman powers Northern to enforce first follow-on of QEAT 2022-23

FAISALABAD: Northern’s stand-in captain and left-arm spinner Nauman Ali decimated Southern Punjab’s (SP) batting line-up before enforcing the first follow-on of the ongoing Quaid-e-Azam Trophy (QEAT) 2022-23.

In the first round fixture of the ongoing QEAT, SP found themselves in immense trouble as Northern after accumulating a mammoth 529, bundled out the side for a paltry 269.

SP’s opening batter Zain Abbas put up a fight with his magnificent 120, while the rest of the batters failed to make an impact as Nauman-led Northern bowling attack extended their domination.

Nauman led the way by claiming four wickets, while Musa Khan and Mehran Mumtaz bagged two each.

Northern captain Nauman then further added to the misery of SP by enforcing the first follow-on of the ongoing edition of QEAT as they trailed by 117 runs.

Coming out to bat again after the follow-on SP managed to conclude the third day at 143/2, while Usman Salahuddin (40) and Imran Rafiq (34) will resume the proceedings on the final day.

Mubasir Khan, who bolstered Northern to a massive total in the first inning by smashing 170, removed both SP openers – Umar Siddiq (35) and Zain (32).

At the Pindi Cricket Stadium, Fawad Alam stole the show with his 42nd first-class century, returning unbeaten on 127 and powered Sindh to put up a fighting total of 368 in reply to Central Punjab’s (CP) 428.

Wicketkeeper batter Sarfaraz Ahmed supported Fawad brilliantly amid their 169-run sixth-wicket stand as he smashed an important 78 runs off 196 deliveries, laced with eight boundaries.

CP then stretched their lead to 230 as they amassed 170/4 at stumps with their last inning double-centurion Abdullah Shafique (72*) at the crease, who had the company of Tayyab Tahir – unbeaten on 61.

In another first-round fixture, Balochistan gathered a dominating 289-run lead after bowling out Khyber Pakhtunkhwa (KP) for 291 despite a brilliant century from Kamran Ghulam, who smashed 102 off 171 balls.

KP captain Khalid Usman also put up a fight for his side with a gritty knock of 43.

Khurram Shahzad led the bowling attack for Balochistan as he claimed four wickets for 67, while Akif Javed and Kashif Bhatti bagged two each.

Balochistan then recovered from 68/4 to 107/4 to extend their dominance over KP as Hussain Talat (27) and Ali Waqas (12) held their ground firm.

READ: Waseem to face reigning champion Martinez for WBC flyweight title

Abdullah hits double ton before bowlers set CP on top against Sindh

RAWALPINDI: Abdullah Shafique provided a solid start to Central Punjab (CP) with a magnificent double century before bowlers helped the side restrict Sindh to 270/5 on the second day of their ongoing fixture in Quaid-e-Azam Trophy (QEAT) at Pindi Cricket Stadium here on Wednesday.

Resuming at an overnight score of 358/6, CP extended their domination over Sindh as the side added a crucial 70 runs on the second day.

CP’s star with the bat on the opening day, Abdullah, who bolstered his side to a massive total with his unbeaten knock of 189, carried on his exceptional form on the second day and went on to smash a brilliant double century. He scored 232 off 262 deliveries, laced with 28 boundaries and four sixes.

Sindh bowlers, however, held their nerves calm to decimate the lower order and bowled out CP for 428. Abdullah top-scored for the side with 232, while Aamer Yamin scored an important 70.

In response to CP’s massive total, Sindh had a dismal start to their inning as the side lost three wickets at a paltry score of 94 with skipper Saud Shakeel falling for a mere two.

Sindh’s opening batter Saim Ayub held his ground firm amid his side’s poor start and anchored the inning with a gritty knock. The left-handed batter joined hands with Fawad Alam following the slump and added 40 runs before falling victim to Usama Mir. He scored 71 off 96 deliveries, laced with nine boundaries and a six.

Following Saim’s departure, Saad Khan charged on CP bowlers and scored a quick 30 amid his 50-run stand with Fawad. The left-handed batter, however, could not continue his heroics for long and fell prey to CP captain Qasim Akram, causing his side to slip to 184/5.

Sindh wicketkeeper batter Sarfaraz Ahmed then joined Fawad in the middle and put on a valiant unbeaten partnership that powered the side to a rather comfortable position. The duo added 86 runs for the sixth and Sindh, as a result, finished at 270/5 at the stumps.

The pair will now resume the proceedings for Sindh with the side trailing by 158 runs.

Aamer led the bowling attack for CP as he bagged two wickets, while Qasim, Usama Mir, and Mohammad Saad made one scalp each.

In another first-round match, Mubasir Khan followed Abdul Faseeh’s brilliance as he powered Northern to 529/5d against Southern Punjab (SP) with his magnificent knock of 170, while Sarmad Bhatti chipped in with a gritty 81 before the Northern captain opted to declare the inning.

Mubasir top-scored for his side with 170 off 236 balls with the help of 22 boundaries and a six. Whereas, Sarmad scored 81 off 206 deliveries.

For SP, Hassan Khan led the way with three wickets, while Ali Usman bagged two.

In response to Northern’s mammoth 529, SP finished at 128/2 on the conclusion of the second day despite a dismal start as their opener Zain Abbas fought hard with a valiant knock of 69* while Agha Salman scored a supportive 35.

The pair will now resume the proceedings for SP on the third day of their first-round match with a 401-run deficit.

In the first match of the tournament, however, Balochistan strengthened their domination over defending champions Khyber Pakhtunkhwa (KP) as the side posted a massive 473 before restricting KP to 151/5.

Resuming at an overnight score of 324/5, Balochistan were off to a dismal start as they lost three wickets after adding 42 runs.

Following the early slump, Kashif Bhatti and Khurram Shahzad stood up for their team and put on an astounding 99-run partnership for the ninth wicket. Kashif scored 71 off 84, while Sarmad scored a valiant 47.

For KP, Arshad Iqbal bagged four wickets, while Mohammad Sarwar and Ihsanullah claimed two each. Khalid Usman, on the other hand, made one scalp.

In response to a mammoth 473, KP had a poor start as the side lost three quick wickets for a mere 34.

Kamran Ghulam and Adil Amin then added 67 runs for the fourth wicket and put on a fightback for the defending champions. The pair appeared solid and were looking to bolster them to a decent position before Kashif trapped the latter in his legs to break the important partnership. He scored 39 off 60 deliveries.

Sarwar’s stay at the crease remained brief he fell for a mere four after falling to Khurram and KP as a result, slipped to 108/5.

KP’s hero with the bat Kamran then joined hands with Rehan Afridi and put on an unbeaten 43 runs partnership that lasted till the conclusion of an eventful second day.

Kamran (64*) and Rehan (20*) will now resume the proceedings for KP at 151/5 with a 322 runs deficit.

For Balochistan, Khurram bagged two wickets, while Akif Javed, Hussain Talat, and Kashif made one scalp each.

READ: Rizwan fights out with 63 but England pacers bowl out Pakistan on 145

Northern, KPK clinch round nine matches in Quaid-e-Azam Trophy

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.

READ: Faizan, Umer hit centuries, Northern on top

Faizan, Umer hit centuries, Northern on top

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.

READ: Salman Ali Agha’s century keeps Southern hoping