KARACHI: The batters were on song on day two of the Quaid-e-Azam Trophy action on Thursday as just 14 wickets fell across three venues, while two of the batters converted their overnight innings into double tons.

Faizan Riaz, who resumed the day on 146, notched up his third multiple hundred by making 213 (346 balls, 20 boundaries during a marathon 504-minute sojourn in the middle as Northern posted 455-9 declared against Central Punjab at the Gaddafi Stadium in Lahore.

The home side made a positive response with Abid Ali and Ahmed Shehzad scoring 68 in 18 overs by draw of stumps.

Having registered a maiden first-class on Wednesday’s opening day of the second-round game against Balochistan at the Multan Cricket Stadium, Southern Punjab opener Tayyab Tahir extended his overnight score from 181 to 211 (274 balls, 23 fours, four sixes) while Azam khan bludgeoned a 71-ball 85 (eight fours, four sixes) while guiding the hosts to 457-5 declared.

Taking advantage of the excellent conditions on a day when only ex-Test pacer Junaid Khan (2-87) managed to grab the two wickets to fall, Balochistan captain Imran Butt (65) and Imam-ul-Haq (71) guided the visitors to a commanding 155-0 in 56 overs.

Khyber Pakhtunkhwa were in command against Sindh at the Iqbal Stadium in Faisalabad. After Sindh skipper Fawad Alam had hit up his 41st first-class century (122 off 252 balls, 14 fours) in a team tally of 367, Israrullah (87) and Sahibzada Farhan (72) powered their side to 167-0 in just 44 overs.

Close of scores on Thursday (day two of four):

Second round:

At Gaddafi Stadium, Lahore: NORTHERN 455-9-declared in 132.5 overs (Faizan Riaz 213, Sarmad Bhatti 82, Rohail Nazir 54, Nasir Nawaz 46, Mubasir Khan 25; Ehsan Adil 3-60, Zafar Gohar 3-141); CENTRAL PUNJAB 68-0 in 18 overs (Abid Ali 37 not out, Ahmed Shehzad 28 not out).

At Iqbal Stadium, Faisalabad: SINDH 367 in 110.1 overs (Saad Khan 129, Fawad Alam 122, Sohail Khan 28, Ashiq Ali 26, Mohammad Hasan 25; Niaz Khan 5-58, Imran Khan 3-58); KHYBER PAKHTUNKHWA 167-0 in 44 overs (Israrullah 87 not out, Sahibzada Farhan 72 not out).

At Multan Cricket Stadium, Multan: SOUTHERN PUNJAB 457-5 declared in 98.5 overs (Tayyab Tahir 221, Azam Khan 85, Imran Rafiq 81, Umar Siddique 32, Zain Abbas 30; Junaid Khan 2-87); BALOCHISTAN 155-0 in 56 overs (Imam-ul-Haq 71 not out, Imran Butt 65 not out.

Published in Dawn, October 29th, 2021