Karachi, 9 October 2022: Northern’s Hasan Raza and Aqib Shah scored centuries to help their side post 305 for five in 92 overs against Balochistan on the opening day of the third round match at the KCCA Stadium in Karachi on Sunday. In the other two matches of the third round, Khyber Pakhtunkhwa were bowled out for 174 against Central Punjab, while Sindh were bundled out for 162 against Southern Punjab.
Balochistan v Northern
After opting to bat, Northern scored 305 for five in 92 overs. The star performers for Northern were Hasan and Aqib. Opening batter Hasan top-scored with a 218-ball 129, which included seven fours and two sixes. Aqib – coming to bat at number six returned undefeated on 102 off 221 balls. His innings included six fours and two sixes. The pair of Hasan and Aqib knitted a 174-run partnership for the fifth wicket.
Jalat Khan was the most successful bowler for Balochistan. The slow left-arm bowler bagged four wickets for 81.
Central Punjab v Khyber Pakhtunkhwa
Three wickets apiece by Bilawal Bhatti and Nisar Ahmed helped Central Punjab dismissed Khyber Pakhtunkhwa for 174 in the 56th over after the latter opted to bat first. For Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, their captain Israrullah top-scored with 49.
In reply, at the close of play, Central Punjab in their first innings were 90 for two in 22 overs. Rizwan Hussain returned undefeated on 51, which included seven boundaries. Khyber Pakhtunkhwa’s right-arm fast bowler Niaz Khan bagged two wickets.
Sindh v Southern Punjab
At the UBL Sports Complex, Sindh after opting to bat first were bundled out for 162 in the 40th over. Rameez Aziz coming to bat at number five top-scored with 69 off 91, smashing nine fours.
For Southern Punjab, right-arm fast bowler Mohammad Sadaqat grabbed four wickets. Tahir Hussain and Majid Ali picked three and two wickets, respectively.
At stumps, Southern Punjab were 107 for five in 34.4 overs. Opening batter Zeeshan Ashraf scored an unbeaten 54 off 97 balls, striking 10 fours.
For Sindh, left-arm fast bowler Asif Ali Jnr took two wickets for 44.
Scores in brief:
Balochistan v Northern at the KCCA Stadium, Karachi
Northern 305-5, 92 overs (Hasan Raza 129, Aqib Shah 102 not out; Jalat Khan 4-81)
Central Punjab v Khyber Pakhtunkhwa at the NBP Sports Complex, Karachi
Khyber Pakhtunkhwa 174 all out, 55.1 overs (Israrullah 49; Bilawal Bhatti 3-31, Nisar Ahmed 3-43, Bilawal Iqbal 2-34)
Central Punjab 90-2, 22 overs (Rizwan Hussain 51 not out; Niaz Khan 2-26)
Sindh v Southern Punjab at the UBL Sports Complex, Karachi
Sindh 162 all out, 40 overs (Rameez Aziz 69; Mohammad Sadaqat 4-46, Tahir Hussain 3-46, Majid Ali 2-44)
Southern Punjab 107-5, 34.4 overs (Zeeshan Ashraf 54 not out; Asif Ali Jnr 2-44)
