Lahore, 10 November 2021: A consolidated bowling performance by Southern Punjab had Northern bowled out for mere 163 on day one of the fifth round of the Quaid-e-Azam Trophy 2021-22. With this outstanding bowling performance at the Multan Cricket Stadium, Southern Punjab bagged six bowling points – three for dismissing the opposition inside 200 and additional three for taking eight or more wickets inside 100 overs.
Pacers Mohammad Abbas, Mohammad Ilyas and Zia-ul-Haq took two wickets each and left-arm orthodox Ali Usman accounted for three Northern batters as he returned three for 39 from 16.1 overs.
Only four Northern batters entered double-digits with opener Nasir Nawaz top-scoring with 58 (eight fours).
It turned out to be a wicket-galore as Northern removed three Southern Punjab batters in the 18.4 overs they bowled before stumps were drawn. Southern Punjab had managed 77 runs. Imran Rafiq (24 not out) and Yousuf Babar (two not out) will resume Southern Punjab’s innings on Thursday.
Things weren’t as happening at Faisalabad’s Iqbal Stadium where solid centuries from Imran Butt and Imam-ul-Haq had Balochistan placed at 271 for two against Khyber Pakhtunkhwa.
After Imran decided to bat first, he added 227 runs for the first wicket with Imam. Imran smashed 140, which included 17 fours and two sixes, while Imam was unbeaten on 110 (eight fours and three sixes).
The two wickets to fall – Imran and Abdul Wahid Bangalzai (two off 14), who came into this match after scoring a fabulous double-century – were taken by Asif Afridi.
PCB will release the report of the pink ball match separately at the day’s conclusion at Gaddafi Stadium.
Scores in brief:
Toss Uncontested – Southern Punjab choose to field against Northern at Multan Cricket Stadium
Northern 163 all out, 56.1 overs (Nasir Nawaz 58, Umar Amin 29, Umar Waheed 21; Ali Usman 3-39, Mohammad Abbas 2-32, Zia-ul-Haq 2-32, Mohammad Ilyas 2-41)
Southern Punjab 77-3, 18.4 overs (Imran Rafiq 24 not out, Tayyab Tahir 22)
Innings Points – Northern 1, Southern Punjab 6
Balochistan elect to bat against Khyber Pakhtunkhwa after winning the toss at Iqbal Stadium, Faisalabad
Balochistan 271-2, 79 overs (Imran Butt 140, Imam-ul-Haq 110 not out; Asif Afridi 2-82)
Innings Points – Balochistan 2, Khyber Pakhtunkhwa 0
