MULTAN: Northern kicked off the Multan leg with a victory as they edged out Sindh by one run on the last ball of the match while the venue didn’t change much for Central Punjab as their losing run continued in the competition courtesy Balochistan’s Haseebullah.

Opener Mohammad Huraira played a brilliant innings of 86 in Northern’s thrilling win over Sindh. The opener scored his runs at a quick pace, smashing 13 fours and a six in his 52-ball innings at the Multan Cricket Stadium on Saturday.

Huraira — later named player of the match — put a profound 132-run partnership with opening partner Nasir Nawaz (47). The partnership was finally broken in the 14th over by pacer Anwar Ali.

Cameos by Umar Amin (21) and Zeeshan Malik (19) at the end of the first innings took the score to 190-6. Zeeshan smashed two sixes and a four in his short nine-ball cameo.

Sindh stumbled in the start as they lost opener Saim Ayub (16) in the second over while dangerous Sharjeel Khan (18) was also back in the pavilion in the fifth over.

Captain Saud Shakeel then led the chase for his side with a quick 70 of 43 balls, hitting nine boundaries and a maximum, stitching up a partnership of 60 runs with Omair bin Yousuf (20). Sarfaraz Ahmed provided impetus with his 13-ball 23 (two fours and a six) down the order.

Sindh required 14 off the last six with Anwar Ali and Danish Aziz at the crease. Anwar was dismissed on the third ball after hitting Usman Shinwari for a six on the previous ball. The equation finally came down to three off one and it ended with Faraz Ali’s run out as he looked to complete the second and take his team into the Super Over.

Balochistan’s Haseebullah and Amad Butt added to Central Punjab’s misery in the second match.

Central Punjab won only one of their five matches in Rawalpindi and must have hoped for a change of fortunes in Multan, but their Multan leg got off with a demolishing seven-wicket defeat to Balochistan with Haseebullah’s 72 helping them overhaul the 170-run target with an over spare.

Player of the match Haseebullah struck seven fours and three sixes in his 53-ball knock and provided a brilliant start to the run chase with a 96-run partnership with Asad Shafiq (47).

Abdul Wahid Bangalzai played a blinder smashing 46 not out at a staggering strike rate of 192 as Balochistan closed the chase with ease.

Amad Butt took four wickets for 30 runs when Central Punjab elected to bat. Shoaib Malik made his experience count, top-scoring with 44 off 30 with four boundaries.

Published in Dawn, September 11th, 2022