KARACHI: Centuries by Mubasir Khan and Umar Amin saw Quaid-i-Azam Trophy champions Northern get off to a flying start in the Pakistan Cup here on Saturday.

The 50-over domestic competition’s opening day — a triple header — also featured a match-winning batting show by Pakistan discard Hasan Ali in Southern Punjab’s favour and Central Punjab’s win over Khyber Pakhtunkhwa in a low-scoring fixture.

The matches were held across three venues.

Northern were clinical in their 54-run win against defending champions Balochistan at NBP Sports Complex.

Although the result was decided by the DLS method due to bad light, it was far from unfair for Balochistan, who were hit for 356 runs after choosing to field first.

The major hurt came from Mubasir, who smashed 12 fours and five sixes in his 65-ball 118. Northern skipper Umar scored 114 featuring eight fours and three sixes.

The duo added an unbeaten 184 for the third wicket after Northern opener Haider Ali had provided them a solid start with a 110-ball 90.

In response, only Hussain Talat’s 101 off 74 balls and Abdul Wahid Bangalzai’s 44-ball 51 were notable contributions for Balochistan, who could manage 244 in 40 overs.

Pacer Musa Khan and spinner Umer Khan took three and two wickets for Northern, respectively.

At the State Bank Stadium, Central Punjab inflicted an eight-wicket defeat on Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, who were dismissed for a paltry 143 after being out into bat.

Spinner Zafar Gohar took three wickets while Ali Shafique and Waqas Maqsood claimed two victims apiece.

Central Punjab chased down the target in 27 overs, thanks to a solid opening partnership between Mohammad Faizan and Tayyab Tahir, who added 53 and 34 respectively.

Ahmed Shehzad and promising all-rounder Qasim Akram then collaborated for a 51-run stand for the third wicket to help Central Punjab get over the line.

At the UBL Sports Complex, it was a Hasan special that saw Souther Punjab overcome Sindh by two wickets.

The Southern Punjab captain smashed five fours and three sixes in his 33-ball 55 after coming into bat at number eight.

Though Hasan lost his wicket, an 18-run cameo by Usman Qadir saw Southern Punjab edge Sindh in the penultimate over. Half-centuries from Usman Salahuddin (89) and Arafat Minhas (81) were also key for the winners.

Earlier, Usman registered figures of 6-51 with his leg-spin but couldn’t stop in-form youngster Saim Ayub from scoring a century.

The Sindh opener hit 100 off 81 balls with the help of 11 fours and four sixes. Saifullah Bangash’s 54 was another notable contribution.

Published in Dawn, December 11th, 2022