- Scorecards of all three matches are available here; action photos available here, please credit @PCB
- Post-match virtual media conferences (NSK – Balochistan v Central Punjab) of Ali Waqas and Usman Salahuddin available here
- More details available on PCB’s corporate website www.pcb.com.pk; event hashtags are #QeA20 and #HarHaalMainCricket; for session by session updates, please follow @TheRealPCB_Live
- Urdu version of the round-up attached here
Karachi, 6 November 2020: Sindh gathered three bonus points for bowling on the opening day of their round three first-class Quaid-e-Azam Trophy fixture against Northern at the UBL Sports Complex as pacers Sohail Khan and Tabish Khan shared six wickets between them equally.
Northern found themselves in a precarious 90 for five as the two Khans hunted in pairs after Northern captain Nauman Ali elected to bat. Tabish’s three wickets cost 41 runs, while Sohail took his for 43 runs.
With 62 runs from 129 balls, Umar Amin was the only batsman amongst Northern top six to post a substantial score. The left-handed batsman struck six fours and a six.
A 79-run alliance for the seventh wicket between Hammad Azam (64) and Mohammad Nawaz (73) lifted Northern out of trouble and helped them post 319 for nine in 90 overs before the close of play.
All-rounder Hammad hit six fours and three sixes in his 102-ball stay at the crease and Nawaz smashed eight four and two sixes as the pair helped Northern collect three batting bonus points.
Left-arm orthodox Fawad Alam took two wickets for 24 runs.
Northern’s last wicket has added 30 runs to their total. Nauman (15) and Waqas Ahmed (18) will resume the innings on day two.
Southern Punjab captain Hussain Talat’s decision to not to opt for the toss and elect to bowl paid dividends as Test pacer Mohammad Abbas took four wickets against Khyber Pakhtunkhwa at the National Bank Sports Complex.
The right-arm pacer helped his team pocket two bonus points as Khyber Pakthunkhwa finished the day on 261 for six in 93 overs.
Abbas’ four wickets included Israrullah (14), Ashfaq Ahmed (11), Kamran Ghulam (64) and Zohaib Khan (23). The 30-year-old accounted for Israrullah and Ashfaq Ahmed in the morning session as Khyber Pakhtunkhwa lost their two wickets for 36.
A rearguard effort from Musadiq Ahmed, who received a promotion from Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Second XI, and Adil Amin, who recorded his career’s 17th half-century, provided stability to the batting team with a 53-run partnership for the third wicket.
Following Musadiq’s exit, Adil held Khyber Pakhtunkhwa’s innings together as the 29-year-old right-handed batsman stroked a valiant 90 from 181 balls.
Over the course of his stay at the crease, which was studded with nine fours and two sixes, Adil also stitched a crucial 99-run stand for the fourth wicket with Kamran Ghulam, who made 175-ball 64, which included nine boundaries.
On Saturday, Khalid Usman (six) and Sajid Khan (four) will resume the innings for Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, who have gathered two batting bonus points to date for crossing the 250-run barrier inside 100 overs. They have seven more overs to add another point by scoring 39 runs in the next seven overs.
Balochistan scored 239 for six in 85 overs against Central Punjab at the National Stadium.
In the match, which is being broadcast and produced by the Pakistan Cricket Board, Imran Butt and Ali Waqas recorded a 120-run alliance for the second wicket after Waqas Maqsood, who returned three for 47, dismissed Sami Aslam (seven) after Azhar Ali, the Central Punjab captain, decided to field.
Imran scored his career’s 23rd half-century as he scored 53 off 121 balls before he was dismissed by Ehsan Adil.
Ali Waqas, who was promoted to Balochistan’s First XI team, top-scored with 75. The 30-year-old faced 188 balls, nine of which were dispatched to boundary. This was his 24th half-century.
Taimur Ali was unbeaten on 59 and will be joined by Kashif Bhatti (two not out) on Saturday morning when the play resumes. Taimur, to date, has faced 115 balls and hit eight fours.
Balochistan gathered only one batting point, while title defenders Central Punjab, who entered this contest after two back-to-back defeats, have pocketed two bowling points.
Scores in brief:
At UBL Sports Complex, Northern elect to bat:
Northern 319-9, 90 overs (Mohammad Nawaz 73, Hammad Azam 64, Umar Amin 62, Aamer Jamal 24; Tabish Khan 3-41, Sohail Khan 3-43, Fawad Alam 2-24)
Points to date: Northern 3, Sindh 3
At NBP Sports Complex, Southern Punjab elect to bowl (toss uncontested):
Khyber Pakhtunkhwa 261-6, 93 overs (Adil Amin 90, Kamran Ghulam 64, Musadiq Ahmed 41, Zohaib Khan 23; Mohammad Abbas 4-28)
Points to date: Khyber Pakhtunkhwa 2, Southern Punjab 2
At National Stadium, Central Punjab elect to field:
Balochistan 239-6, 85 overs (Ali Waqas 75, Imran Butt 53, Taimur Ali 59; Waqas Maqsood 3-47)
Points to date: Balochistan 1, Central Punjab 2
