KARACHI, Jan 17: Skipper Nasim Khan sacrificed his century to earn a highly respectable draw for Rest of Balochistan against Karachi Whites in the Quaid-i-Azam Trophy Thursday.

Nasim finished unbeaten on 96 to thwart a late Karachi charge, led by paceman Tanvir Ahmed, who finished the innings with figures of five for 67 for match figures of 10 for 134.

Nasim was cruising for a well deserved century with Rest of Balochistan reaching 240 for three after having resumed this morning at 66 for one after being forced to follow on. But then Tanvir produced a magical spell to grab five wickets in less than five overs to leave the tourists reeling at 271 for eight with little under seven overs play left.

From then on, Nasim took control of the proceedings, faced most of the bowling and preferred to keep the balls away from the stumps rather than chase a century to steer his team to 289 for eight when the match ended.

His unselfish game play may have cost him second century in three matches but he earned an honourable draw for Rest of Balochistan who have yet to lose a game in the tournament.

Nasim, struck 15 boundaries off 217 balls during five-hour knock innings, has led his team from the front. He has scores of 104, 8, 68, 12 and 0 in the tournament.

Rest of Balochistan’s efforts were nothing but a display of excellent cricket. They survived seven sessions and played out almost 200 overs to save the match. Not many teams in the domestic circuit would have achieved the feat.

Rest of Balochistan were also helped by some toothless and pedestrian Karachi bowlers who, barring Tanvir, never threatened the batsmen. The selectors will have to do a lot of thinking and need to induct wicket-takers if Karachi Whites are to reclaim the prestigious trophy.