KARACHI: A rearguard act from Mohammad Hasan spared the already troubled Sindh further humiliation in their abject Quaid-e-Azam Trophy campaign at the start of the penultimate round of matches here on Sunday.

The wicket-keeper/batsman, who had played just two matches in the ongoing championship before the ninth round, came to the crease with his side in tatters at 38-5 after visiting Southern Punjab captain Umar Siddique opted to bowl at the SBP Sports Complex. The 30-year-old right-hander had already seen the recalled Khurram Manzoor (0), Sharjeel Khan (4), Omair Bin Yousuf and Asad (0) all back in the hut with just six runs on the board with seamer Aamir Yamin picking three of the four wickets.

Saud Shakeel and Saad Ali then stopped the rot in a mini partnership of 32 but Saud fell to Zia-ul-Haq for 10 before Hasan arrived to play one of the most defining innings this season. Together with the left-handed Saad, he shared a partnership of 173 in exactly three hours.

Hasan struck 17 boundaries in making 111 — his sixth first-class century — from 140 balls before the left-armer Zia had him caught with the total on 211.

Hasan’s departure opened the gates for Southern Punjab to complete a swift demolition job as the last five wickets fell for the addition of only six runs as Sindh wee all out for 217 in 64.4 overs. Saad contributed an equally vital 79 in 263 minutes with his 174-ball effort containing 10 fours.

Sindh’s entire innings had six batsmen being dismissed for ducks while Aamir, Zia and leg-spinner Zahid Mahmood all captured three wickets each before Southern Punjab reached stumps at 41-1 in their reply.

Leaders Khyber Pakht­unkhwa made early inroads by getting rid of both openers, Ali Zaryab and Mohammad Akhlaq, without opening their accounts in the televised encounter at the National Stadium after the inspirational Central Punjab captain Hasan Ali had won the toss.

But from two down for two runs, Central Punjab — who are on a roll at the moment after chalking up three straight victories — recovered well to close day one at 267-5. Usman Salahuddin and Mohammad Saad initiated the rescue operation by putting on 106 before Usman was run out for 53.

But Saad was then joined by Saad Nasim in another productive partnership before he was sent on his way by off-spinner Sajid Khan for a painstaking 78 — a 176-ball knock lasting 245 minutes and including seven fours and a six.

Saad Nasim was enterprising in his approach as the discarded Pakistan international slammed seven fours and three sixes in his unbe­aten 81 from 132 balls. You­n­gster Qasim Akram made 25 and helped Saad add 59 for the fifth wicket. Wicket-keeper Ali Shan is batting on 24.

Northern’s hopes of reaching their second final in a row suffered a blow as Balochistan restricted them to 203 all out after Imran Farhat had elected to bowl at the UBL Sports Complex.

Left-hander Ali Sarfraz was the top scorer with 38 while opener Nasir Nawaz (31) was the only other man to cross 30. Slow left-armer Kashif Bhatti snared five wickets for 75 runs in 28 overs with off-spinner Raza-ul-Hasan taking 3-67.

Former Pakistan stalwart Imran, playing his penultimate game before calling it a day, led a commanding Balochistan response to the modest total. The left-hander hit nine boundaries in a 93-ball 53 as Balochistan completed a good day by closing at 92 without loss. Ali Rafiq was the other not out batsman with a 72-ball 29.

Close of play scores on Sunday (day one of four):

First XI, ninth round:

At National Stadium, Karachi: CENTRAL PUNJAB 267-5 in 90 overs (Saad Nasim 81 not out, Mohammad Saad 78, Usman Salahuddin 53, Qasim Akram 25, Ali Shan 24 not out) vs KHYBER PAKHTUNKHWA.

At UBL Sports Complex, Karachi: NORTHERN 203 in 62.1 overs (Ali Sarfraz 38, Nasir Nawaz 31, Mohammad Nawaz 26, Waqas Ahmed 26, Sarmad Bhatti 25, Mubasir Khan 25; Kashif Bhatti 5-75, Raza-ul-Hasan 3-67); BALOCHISTAN 92-0 in 27 overs (Imran Farhat 53 not out, Ali Rafiq 29 not out).

At SBP Sports Complex, Karachi: SINDH 217 in 64.4 overs (Mohammad Hasan 111, Saad Ali 79; Aamir Yamin 3-31, Zahid Mahmood 3-49, Zia-ul-Haq 3-63); SOUTHERN PUNJAB 41-1 in 17.4 overs (Zain Abbas 25 not out).

Published in Dawn, December 21st, 2020