LAHORE, Nov 6: Azhar Ali struck an unbeaten century as Punjab dominated against Sindh on the opening day of the RBS Pentangular Cup match at the Gaddafi Stadium on Thursday.

Azhar, drafted into the playing XI in the absence of leading players, struck 109 to help Punjab reach a cosy 245 for one in batting-friendly conditions after Sindh skipper Naumanullah opted to field first at the toss.

The only wicket to come Sindh’s way was that of Test reject Mohammad Hafeez, who was bowled for 78 while trying to cut spinner Azam Hussain after the openers had put together a fine stand of 157 in 235 minutes. Hafeez’s 164-ball innings included eight fours and a six.

But Azhar and Umar Akmal made Sindh bowlers struggle as they added 88 in their unbroken partnership when play was called off three minutes before the scheduled close because of poor light with 73 overs completed in the day.

Azhar’s 209-ball knock includes 14 fours and a six. Umar, younger brother of Test wicket-keeper Kamran Akmal, slammed eight boundaries in his 75-ball 43.

Pacemen Sohail Khan and Tanvir Ahmed remained wicketless, while Azam took one for 57 in 18 overs.

Punjab took the field without Shoaib Malik, Salman Butt, Nasir Jamshed, Kamran Akmal and Saeed Ajmal, while Shahid Afridi, Fawad Alam and Khalid Latif are missing from the Sindh side.

Scoreboard

PUNJAB (1st Innings):

Mohammad Hafeez b Azam 78

Azhar Ali not out 109

Umar Akmal not out 43

EXTRAS (LB-4, W-1, NB-10) 15

TOTAL (for one wkt, 73 overs) 245

FALL OF WKT: 1-157.

TO BAT: Khurram Shahzad, Adnan Raza, Ammar Mahmood, Zulqarnain Haider, Junaid Zia, Wahab Riaz, Imran Ali, Adil Raza.

BOWLING: Sohail Khan 15-2-68-0 (1nb); Tanvir Ahmed 20-2-60-0 (8nb); Uzair-ul-Haq 13-4-40-0 (1nb); Khurram Manzoor 6-3-7-0; Azam Hussain 18-4-57-1; Rizwan Ahmed 1-0-9-0.

SINDH: Khurram Manzoor, Asif Zakir, Naumanullah, Faisal Athar, Afsar Nawaz, Rizwan Ahmed, Sarfraz Ahmed, Tanvir Ahmed, Azam Hussain, Sohail Khan, Uzair-ul-Haq.

UMPIRES: Riazuddin and Nadeem Ghauri.

MATCH REFEREE: Anwer Khan.