Lahore, 27 September 2022: Southern Punjab’s Zeeshan Ashraf struck a century, while Northern’s Umer Khan took a five-wicket haul on the first day of the opening round matches of the Cricket Associations Championship being played at the three venues of Karachi. In order to bring more competitiveness, the tournament will be played on four-day matches instead of the usual three-day.
Southern Punjab v Northern at the KCCA Stadium, Karachi
After opting to bat first, Southern Punjab were bowled out for 273 in the 83rd over. Opening batter Zeeshan Ashraf top-scored with a 163-ball 130, which included seven fours and five sixes. Rameez Alam coming to bat at number five scored a 124-ball 66, and struck six fours and one six. Mohammad Umair chipped in with 41 off 62 balls, hitting one four and one six.
Northern’s Umer Khan was the pick of the bowler, taking five wickets for 97. The left-arm spinner was supported by Aaqib Liaquat who bagged three wickets for 88 runs from 27 overs.
In return, Northern at stumps were seven for no loss in two overs.
Balochistan v Khyber Pakhtunkhwa at the NBP Sports Complex
Three wickets apiece from Maaz Khan and Mohammad Imran led Khyber Pakhtunkhwa dismiss Balochistan for 256 in the 72nd over. Opting to bat first, Mohammad Shahid coming to bat at number seven scored a half-century, he top-scored with a 74-ball 65, hitting 10 fours and two sixes. Jalat Khan was other contributor with the bat, scoring 45 off 87 balls, striking five fours.
The pair added 63-run partnership for the seventh wicket.
At stumps, Khyber Pakhtunkhwa were 64 for no loss in 16 overs. Maaz Sadaqat (37 not out, 51b, three fours) and captain Israrullah (26 not out, 45b, four fours) will return tomorrow to resume their batting.
Central Punjab v Sindh at the UBL Sports Complex, Karachi
After being asked to bat, Sindh were dismissed for 256 in the 86th over. Wicketkeeper-batter Mohammad Hasan top-scored with 72 off 83 balls, studded with nine boundaries. Left-handed Danish Aziz struck nine boundaries in a 125-ball 56. Captain Hasan Mohsin smashed five boundaries in his knock of 45 which came off 112 balls.
Central Punjab’s Nisar Ahmed was the pick of the bowlers grabbing four wickets for 29. Bilawal Iqbal was the other wicket-taker, clinching three wickets for 29.
In return, Central Punjab were seven for no loss in one over when stumps were drawn.
Scores in brief:
Southern Punjab v Northern at the KCCA Stadium, Karachi
Southern Punjab 273 all out, 82.2 overs (Zeeshan Ashraf 130, Rameez Alam 66, Mohammad Umair 41; Umer Khan 5-97, Aaqib Liaquat 3-88)
Northern 7-0, 2 overs
Balochistan v Khyber Pakhtunkhwa at the NBP Sports Complex
Balochistan 256 all out, 71.3 overs (Mohammad Shahid 65, Jalat Khan 45; Maaz Khan 3-60, Mohammad Imran 3-62, Mohammad Abbas Afridi 2-46)
Khyber Pakhtunkhwa 64-0, 16 overs
Central Punjab v Sindh at the UBL Sports Complex, Karachi
Sindh 256 all out, 85.3 overs (Mohammad Hasan 72, Danish Aziz 56, Hasan Mohsin 45, Mohammad Taha 37; Nisar Ahmad 4-29, Bilawal Iqbal 3-29)
Central Punjab 7-0, one over
