KARACHI: Northern openers Mohammad Huraira and Hasan Raza scored centuries on the opening day of the Quaid-i-Azam Trophy’s top-of-the-table clash against Sindh here at the National Stadium on Monday.

The other two ninth-round matches were affected due to rain.

Huraira and Hasan notched up partnership of 266 runs, with the latter adding 135 off 203 balls. The left-handed Hasan 19 fours in his knock before falling to Sindh leg-spinner Abrar Ahmed in the final session.

Northern were 350-1 by the close of the day’s play with Huraira unbeaten at 170 off 279 balls with Umar Amin playing at 32. Huraira right-hander has hit a six and 22 fours in his innings so far.

The match between Balochistan and Central Punjab at the LCCA Ground saw only one session of play, in which the home side were reduced to 67-4. Pacer Akif Javed picked up three wickets for Balochistan.

Qasim Akram was unbeaten on 24 when stumps were drawn after 23.3 overs due to bad light. The Central Punjab top-order consisting Abid Ali (2), Abdullah Shafique (15), Mohammad Saad (1) and Tayyab Tahir (14) fell cheaply.

Summarised scores:

Northern 350-1 against Sindh

NORTHERN 350-1 in 90 overs (Mohammad Huraira 170 not out; Hasan Raza 135; Abrar Ahmed 1-134)

Central Punjab 67-4 against Balochistan

CENTRAL PUNJAB 67-4 in 23.3 overs (Qasim Akram 24 not out; Akif Javed 3-31)  

Published in Dawn, November 15th, 2022