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