KARACHI: While for the third successive round, all three fixtures in the country’s premier first-class Quaid-e-Azam Trophy culminated without yielding a conclusive result on Saturday, the defiance bat of Sahibzada Farhan thwarted Southern Punjab.
The Khyber Pakhtunkhwa opener occupied the crease for seven hours and 17 minutes to complete for his 322-ball of 162 as Khyber Pakhtunkhwa reached safety at 342 after following on at the Multan Cricket Stadium on the fourth and final day.
Slow left-armer Ali Usman from Vehari not only snared five-wicket haul for a first-time at the top level but the 28-year-old achieved twice to finish with 10-190.
Meanwhile, Pakistan under-19 star Abdul Wahid Bangalzai enhanced his growing his stature with a fabulous maiden century at the Gaddafi Stadium in Lahore hi — an unbeaten 203 (388 balls, 534 minutes, 24 fours and two sixes) before Central Punjab’s Mohammad Saad, the 31-year-old right-hander from Gujranwala, replicated it with a first double ton 203 not out (20 boundaries and three sixes) of his 11-century career.
Prolific Test opener Abid Ali maintained his excellent start to the season with 164 (276, 20 fours and one six).
In the meantime, Sindh settled first-innings against Northern at the Iqbal Stadium in Faisalabad.
Published in Dawn, November 8th, 2021
