Lahore, 7 November 2021: The ninth-round of the Cricket Associations Championship 2021-22 got underway in three Punjab venues today.
Sindh’s Ahsan Ali and Usman Khan struck centuries, while Central Punjab’s Abdul Samad also hit century on the first day.
Over at the Rana Naved Cricket Academy in Sheikhupura, after being put into bat, Sindh posted 387 for eight in 83 overs. Opening batters Ahsan Ali and Saim Ayub provided a solid 133-run start, where left-handed Saim contributed 54 off 71, hitting eight fours.
After the departure of Saim, right-handed Ahsan was joined by Usman Khan. The pair knitted 54 runs for the second wicket. Right-handed Usman top-scored with 136 off 165, laced with 13 fours and two sixes, while Ahsan struck 101 off 122 balls. Ahsan’s innings included 15 fours. Danish Aziz coming to bat at number five contributed 40 off 70.
At LCCA Ground in Lahore, Central Punjab’s Abdul Samad scored a century to help his side post 370 for three in 78 overs against Khyber Pakhtunkhwa.
After being put into bat, opening batter Samad top-scored for Central Punjab with 108 off 150, laced with 17 fours. He was supported by Ali Zaryab, as the pair of Samad and Ali put up a 173-run partnership for the second wicket. Ali scored a 138-ball 88, smashing 11 fours.
Rizwan Hussain and Irfan Khan coming to bat at number four and five, respectively returned undefeated on 84 and 75 runs, respectively.
Over at the Saeed Ajmal Academy in Faisalabad, Northern after being put into bat were perished for 102 in the 46th over. Only three batters managed to enter into double figures with Ali Sarfraz top-scoring with a 37-ball 27.
For Balochistan, left-arm spinner Zainullah Snr bagged three for 25, while Aftab Ahmed, Mohammad Shahid and Tariq Jameel grabbing two wickets each.
At stumps, Balochistan were 76 for three in 33.5 overs.
Scores in Brief:
Southern Punjab v Sindh – Rana Naved Cricket Academy, Sheikhupura
Sindh 387-8, 83 overs (Usman Khan 136, Ahsan Ali 101, Saim Ayub 54, Danish Aziz 40; Ahsan Baig 2-51, Ahmad Hassan 2-58, Umer Khan 2-112)
Central Punjab v Khyber Pakhtunkhwa – LCCA Ground, Lahore
Central Punjab 370-3, 78 overs (Abdul Samad 108, Ali Zaryab 88, Rizwan Hussain 84 not out, Irfan Khan 75 not out)
Balochistan v Northern – Saeed Ajmal Academy, Faisalabad
Northern 102 all out, 45.4 overs (Ali Sarfraz 27, Kashif Ali 25; Zainullah Snr 3-25, Mohammad Shahid 2-9, Tariq Jameel 2-16, Aftab Ahmed 2-28)
Balochistan 76-3, 33.5 overs (Aqib Junaid 22)
