Karachi, 10 December 2022: Central Punjab, Northern and Southern Punjab win their opening round matches of the Cricket Associations Challenge (one-day event) in Karachi on Saturday.
Northern beat Balochistan by five runs
At the KCCA Stadium, Northern after being put into bat by Balochistan, scored 225 for nine in 50 overs on the back of half-centuries by Aqib Shah (82, 115b, 4x4) and Umair Masood (55, 78b, 3x4).
Balochistan’s left-arm pacer Taj Wali bagged three wickets for 42, while Jalat Khan took two for 31.
In reply, Balochistan fell five runs short of the target and were bowled out for 220 in the 48th over. Azeem Ghumman and Ayaz Tasawar half-centuries went in vain.
For the winning team, Saad Nasim took five for 19 in 6.2 overs.
Southern Punjab beat Sindh by seven wickets
At the TMC Ground, Sindh after being asked to bat first by Southern Punjab were bowled out for 246 in the 49th over. Rizwan Mehmood (86, 102b, 8x4, 1x6) and Rameez Aziz (54, 69b, 5x4, 1x6) scored half-centuries for their side.
Southern Punjab’s spinner Faisal Akram took four for 50, while Mohammad Shehzad bagged three wickets.
In reply, Southern Punjab eased through the 247-run target for the loss of three wickets in 48 overs courtesy unbeaten century by Shehzad, sc0ring 114 not out off 140 balls, laced with 10 fours and one six. Wicketkeeper-batter Waqar Hussain scored a 71-ball 74, smashing 10 fours and two sixes.
Central Punjab beat Khyber Pakhtunkhwa by five wickets
At the Landi Gymkhana Ground, the match which was reduced to 40 overs a side due to wet outfield, Central Punjab put Khyber Pakhtunkhwa into bat first. Khyber Pakhtunkhwa scored 176 for nine with no batters scoring a half-century. Atizaz Habib Khan top-scored for his side, scoring unbeaten 39 off 54 balls, smashing two fours and as many sixes.
Central Punjab’s Ali Asfand took three wickets, while Ahmed Safi Abdullah and Nisar Ahmad bagged two wickets apiece.
Central Punjab chased down the target in the 29th over losing five wickets. Ali Zaryab top-scored for his side with a 67-ball 60, which included four fours and as many sixes.
Captain Israrullah and Zeeshan Ahmad bagged two wickets each for the losing team.
Scores in brief:
Northern beat Balochistan by five runs
Northern 225-9, 50 overs (Aqib Shah 82, Umair Masood 55; Taj Wali 3-42, Jalat Khan 2-31)
Balochistan 220 all out, 47.2 overs (Muhammad Azeem Ghumman 59, Ayaz Tasawar 53, Abdul Hanan 46; Saad Nasim 5-19, Mohammad Hammad 2-39)
Southern Punjab beat Sindh by seven wickets
Sindh 246 all out, 48.4 overs (Rizwan Mehmood 86, Rameez Aziz 54; Faisal Akram 4-50, Mohammad Shehzad 3-41, Mohammad Ismail 2-21)
Southern Punjab 247-3, 48 overs (Mohammad Shehzad 114 not out, Waqar Hussain 74; Arish Ali Khan 2-29)
Central Punjab beat Khyber Pakhtunkhwa by five wickets
Khyber Pakhtunkhwa 176-9, 40 overs (Aitzaz Habib Khan 39 not out; Ali Asfand 3-26, Ahmed Safi Abdullah 2-24, Nisar Ahmed 2-24)
Central Punjab 177-5, 28.2 overs (Ali Zaryab 60, Imran Dogar 39, Ahmed Safi Abdullah 28 not out; Israrullah 2-22, Zeeshan Ahmad 2-38)
