Quaid-e-Azam Trophy 2020/21 | Round 6 | 2-5 December, 2020 | Matches Thread

[MenInG]

Sixth round of first-class Quaid-e-Azam Trophy promises cutthroat competition

• Table-toppers Southern Punjab play second-ranked Northern; Khyber Pakhtunkhwa take on Balochistan

Karachi, 1 December 2020:

The race for the top two spots on the six-team points table of the first-class Quaid-e-Azam Trophy continues to heat up as the country’s premier domestic tournament heads into its second-half from Wednesday.

Following the completion of the fifth round, Southern Punjab, the table-toppers, are tied with Northern on 74 points. Khyber Pakhtunkhwa and Balochistan, ranked third and fourth, respectively, have 67 points each from five matches.

Sindh are placed fifth with 60 points, while Central Punjab, the title defenders, are the only team without a win in the tournament and are placed on the bottom of the table.

The fifth round produced thrilling action with two of the three drawn matches going down the wire. The sixth round promises to further spice up the tournament with the top five teams looking to give their all to accumulate maximum points and Central Punjab eager for resurgence.

Southern Punjab v Northern at UBL Sports Complex:

The upcoming round serves an opportunity for both Southern Punjab and Northern to leapfrog each other, in terms of points. At present, a 0.07 net run-rate difference separates the two.

Northern enter the contest after collecting 13 points, the most for any team in the previous round, and will be hoping to turn this into a trend.

They featured in one of the most riveting matches this season has produced when they played out a draw against Khyber Pakhtunkhwa.

Northern would be ruing their inability to dismiss the opposition’s last wicket as Mohammad Wasim Jnr and Arshad Iqbal’s 22-minute-long vigil ensured that Northern settle for five points, instead of 16.

Their captain, Nauman Ali, who took six wickets in the last match, continues to spearhead Northern’s bowling department. The 34-year-old, who was the leading wicket-taker in the 2019-20 season, is only one wicket behind Khyber Pakhtunkhwa’s Sajid Khan, who leads the chart for the bowlers with most wickets this tournament.

That three of their batsmen – Faizan Riaz, Mohammad Nawaz and debutant Umair Masood – scored centuries and Nasir Nawaz and Asif Ali were amongst the run-getters with half-centuries augurs well for them. What further underscores Northern’s brilliant batting form entering into the contest is the fact that they gathered maximum points for batting against Khyber Pakhtunkhwa.

Southern Punjab are also coming into the fixture after an exciting draw, against Central Punjab. Like their next opponents, the Southern Punjab bowlers also struggled to dismiss the opposition’s last wicket and will be eager to make up for the missed points in the upcoming fixture.

Southern Punjab posted a mammoth 527 for seven in their first innings at the back of centuries by Salman Ali Agha and Muhammad Imran, while Zain Abbas, Umar Siddiq and Saif Badar scored half-centuries in the match.

Umar, the Southern Punjab captain, will continue to resort to leg-spinner Zahid Mahmood to provide him crucial breakthroughs. The 33-year-old Dadu-born has 32 wickets at an average of 21.25 and two five-wicket hauls in the season, the most recent of which came in his last outing.

Khyber Pakhtunkhwa v Balochistan at State Bank Stadium:

After facing a defeat in the opening match against Balochistan, Khyber Pakhtunkhwa have staged a remarkable comeback and are placed third on the points table with their next four matches resulting in two wins and as many draws.

The team’s versatility was on display in the last round. Set a 390-run target, the top-order played an attacking brand of cricket and the middle and lower-order exhibited defensive skills when the opposition bowlers started to gain the momentum.

Khalid Usman, the team’s captain, scored his maiden first-class ton, while Israrullah and Musadiq Ahmed laid a solid foundation for the mammoth run chase, which eventually resulted in a draw, with a 155-run opening stand.

Both batsmen have scored two half-centuries each and will be eager to make the most of the starts they are getting by converting them into three-digit scores.

Balochistan will be vary of the threat Sajid Khan possesses as the off-spinner took eight wickets – including a five-wicket haul in the second innings – when these two sides met in the opening round of the ongoing tournament. Sajid, who continues to top the list of bowlers with most wickets, has 36 wickets from five matches at an average of 23.86.

The contest comes as an opportunity for Balochistan’s Bismillah Khan to regain his batting form. The wicketkeeper-batsman since opening the tournament with a remarkable 118 against the opposition has had ordinary outings, which he would like to change.

That Akbar-ur-Rehman has picked up form is another positive sign for Balochistan. The middle-order batsman scored 164 and 76 in his last outing and has become the highest run-getter for his team in the ongoing tournament.

Ayaz Tasawar, who scored his third century, in the last match, will be eager to continue his form with the bat.

Imran Farhat, the Balochistan captain, will look towards Kashif Bhatti to provide the balance with both and ball. The 34-year-old has struck three half-centuries and piled up 266 runs at an average of 38 and is the leading wicket-taker for Balochistan with 17 scalps in five matches.

Central Punjab v Sindh at National Stadium:

The two sides meet at the National Stadium in a broadcast fixture to be televised live on PTV Sports, which will also be beamed around the globe through PCB’s YouTube channel.

Sindh’s only victory of the tournament came when these two sides met at the same venue in the opening round of the tournament. In a remarkable turn of events, Sindh chased the 212-run target after Central Punjab’s brave last-day declaration.

That run-chase was spearheaded by Saud Shakeel, who after scoring two centuries and as many half-centuries from five matches is now the highest run-getter in the tournament.

The 25-year-old has scored 577 runs at an average of 64.11 and will be one of the prized scalps for the Central Punjab.

Twenty-two-year-old Omair Bin Yousuf has picked up form at a crucial stage and has the second most runs for his team in the tournament. The right-handed batsman has scored 378 runs from four matches at the back of two impressive centuries, both coming in the last two matches.

Tabish Khan continues to spearhead Sindh’s bowling unit as his 16 wickets are the second most for a pacer in the tournament and Asad Shafiq will be hoping that he continues to provide breakthroughs with the new ball.

When these two sides met the last time, the 36-year-old returned five for 44, which remains his only five-fer in the ongoing tournament, something that he would like to change.

In what was a positive development for Central Punjab, who are languishing at the bottom of the table, their captain Hasan Ali was back in action in the Punjab Derby and sent down 23 overs in which he took three wickets. He, however, impressed the most with the bat in his hand as he smashed his second first-class half-century.

The title defenders will be hoping that their return to National Stadium brings a change in their fortunes. They have gathered only 30 points from the five matches and are a staggering 30 points away from Sindh, the next best team on the points table.

Left-arm pacer Waqas Maqsood has the most wickets for a pacer in the tournament with 17 scalps at 27.06 runs per wicket and promises to form a daunting partnership with the ball with his captain.

Hasan will be hoping for his batsmen to rise to the occasion as none of the Central Punjab’s batsmen has recorded a century yet.

With 324 runs and a high score of 76, Usman Salahuddin is the highest run-getter for them and Mohammad Saad (275 at 27.50) is the second best.

[MenInG]

[MenInG]

No toss, Sindh elect to bowl first.

[MenInG]

No toss, Balochistan bowling first

[MenInG]

Southern Punjab won toss elect to bat against Northern

[Zakirktk]

Muhammad Imran hundred in the last match dropped to make way for Amir Yamin,
good to see Sameen Gul in the line up

[aloo paratha]

Finally Sameen Gul gets a game

[Rayyman]

Good to see Fakhar playing

[saeed5646]

Muhammad umar(Sindh) looks decent fast bowler

[angrypathan]

Sadaf Hussain gets a game, interesting.

[MenInG]

Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Vs Balochistan
Balochistan choose to bowling
1st Inning of KPK
Day. 1
Break Drink's
Total: 52
Wickets: 03
Overs: 12

Batsmen N.o
Kamran Ghulam 23*
M. Wasim 02*

Batsmen out
Musaddiq Ahmed 01
Israrullah 19
Fakhar Zaman 04

Bowling
Khurram Shehzad 3/27

[MenInG]

Central Punjab Vs Sindh

Venue: National Stadium Karachi

Toss Uncontested: Sindh Chose to Bowl First

1st Inning of: Central Punjab

Day. 01 (02-12-2020)

Break Water 01

Total: 19

Wickets: 01

Overs: 13


Batsmen Not Out
1. Ali Zaryab. 11
2. Usman Salahuddin. 00

Batsmen Out
1. Muhammad Akhlaq. 08


Bowling
1. Mir Hamza. 1/7

[MenInG]

Southern Punjab Vs Northern
1st Inning Southern
Day. 1
Break Drinks
Total: 45
Wickets: 01
Overs: 13

Batsmen N.o
Zeeshan Ashraf 25*
Umer Siddique 15*

Batsmen out
Zain Abbas 4

Bowling
Sadaf Hussain 1/20

[Pacy with wisdom]

Ahmed Shehzad dropped. In the last round, Junaid Khan was also sent to play grade 2.
Just shows how much stress this new format brings, where if you dont perform, no matter who you are, you get dropped.

[Thunderbolt14]

Ahmed Shehzad dropped. In the last round, Junaid Khan was also sent to play grade 2.
Just shows how much stress this new format brings, where if you dont perform, no matter who you are, you get dropped.

It’s very very refreshing. A self-correcting system.

[MenInG]

[angrypathan]

Another failure for Fakhar Zaman.

[JibranAnsari]

Abrar was taking wickets for fun in 2nd 11 and here he is struggling.

He would be wrecking havoc in the old system.

[MenInG]

Southern Punjab Vs Northern

1st Inning Southern
Day. 1
Break Tea
Total: 174
Wickets: 03
Overs: 55

Batsmen N.o
Saif badar 73*
Umer Siddique 71*

Batsmen out
Zain Abbas 4
Zeeshan Ashraf 25
Imran Rafique 0

Bowling
Sadaf Hussain 2/40
Hammad Azam 1/26

[MenInG]

[Xoib]

Saif Badar scoring runs happy days for BD.

[Bewal Express]

Saif Badar scoring runs happy days for BD.

I hope he kicks on, he looks to have a lot of time to play his shots.

[Pacy with wisdom]

Abrar was taking wickets for fun in 2nd 11 and here he is struggling.

He would be wrecking havoc in the old system.

They dont use Kookaburra in the 2nd xi tournament.
The change of ball (the kooka is a lot bigger than the gray s) makes a huge difference, especially for a carrom ball style finger spinner.

[JibranAnsari]

They dont use Kookaburra in the 2nd xi tournament.
The change of ball (the kooka is a lot bigger than the gray s) makes a huge difference, especially for a carrom ball style finger spinner.

they should be using same ball in both tournaments , ajeeb harkaten hen pcb ki.

[MenInG]

Central Punjab Vs Sindh

Venue: National Stadium Karachi

Toss Uncontested: Sindh Chose to Bowl First

1st Inning of: Central Punjab

Day. 01 (02-12-2020)

Break Water 3

Total: 165

Wickets: 02

Overs: 70


Batsmen Not Out
1. Muhammad Saad. 19
2. Usman Salahuddin. 80

Batsmen Out
1. Muhammad Akhlaq. 08
2. Ali Zaryab. 56 (152), 4 × 5


Bowling
1. Mir Hamza. 1/22
2. Muhammad Umar. 1/41


==

Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Vs *Balochistan
Venue: SBP Stadium Karachi

1st Inning of KPK
Day. 1
Break Drink's
Total: 228
Wickets: 07
Overs: 66

Batsmen N.o
Kamran Ghulam 91*
Sajid Khan 03*

Batsmen out
Musaddiq Ahmed 01
Israrullah 19
Fakhar Zaman 04
M.Wasim 08
Adil Amin 04
Rehan Afridi 58
Khalid Usman 27

Bowling
Khurram Shehzad 3/76
Umaid Asif 3/51
Taj Wali 1/55

==

Southern Punjab Vs Northern
1st Inning Southern
Day. 1
Break Drink's
Total: 227
Wickets: 05
Overs: 73

Batsmen N.o
Salman Ali agha 24
Amir Yamin 3

Batsmen out
Zain Abbas 4
Zeeshan Ashraf 25
Imran Rafique 0
Saif badar 81
Umer Siddique 89

Bowling
Sadaf Hussain 2/40
Hammad Azam 1/26
Nauman Ali 1/13
Faizan Riaz 1/22

[Xoib]

After flatties in last round pitches again seem to be better this round would. Like to see how some guys like Omair, Saud go in this round.

[CHETAH]

Saif Badar ,Umair Masood,Zeeshan Malik are miles better than No Record Abdullah Shafiq.
PP experts will bite the dust at the end of it too.

[MenInG]

[MenInG]

Northern collected four bonus points for bowling as they bowled out Southern Punjab for 285 at UBL Sports Complex on the opening day of the sixth round of the first-class Quaid-e-Azam Trophy.

The table-toppers were rolled out in 86.3 overs as Sadaf Hussain took three wickets, while Munir Riaz, who marked his first-class debut with a five-wicket haul in the last round, and captain Nauman Ali took two wickets each.

Sadaf, the 30-year-old left-arm pacer, accounted for opener Zain Abbas (four), Imran Rafiq (0) and Zahid Mehmood (five).

Southern Punjab were struggling at 46 for three before half-centuries by their captain Umar Siddiq, Saif Badar and Salman Ali Agha helped their side to a respectable total and two batting bonus points.

Umar, the wicketkeeper-batsman, smashed 89 off 203 in an innings studded with nine boundaries and was supported by Saif Badar as the pair stitched a solid 143-run stand for the fourth wicket.

Saif, the 22-year-old, made 81 with the help of 10 fours and two sixes.

Salman Ali Agha followed up his career-best 169 in the previous match with a 57-ball 53 – his 17th half-century at this level. The 27-year-old right-handed batsman crunched six fours and a six.

Only one over was bowled in Northern’s innings – in which opener Sarmad Bhatti got a boundary off Aamer Yamin – before the stumps were drawn.

Sarmad will resume Northern’s innings on Thursday morning in the company of Nasir Nawaz with the scoreboard reading of six for none.

Usman Salahuddin scored his 46th first-class half-century on his 30th birthday as Central Punjab were 232 for five from 87 overs against Sindh at the close of play.

The right-handed middle-order batsman scored 80, which included nine boundaries. Over the course of his 168-ball stay, Usman stitched a 115-run alliance for the second wicket with opener Ali Zaryab, the other Central Punjab batsman to score a half-century on the opening day of the fixture with a 152-ball 56.

Ali struck five boundaries.

Mohammad Saad and Saad Nasim made notable contributions by adding 41 and 44 runs, respectively. They put a 61-run partnership for the fourth wicket, before Tabish Khan, who is the leading wicket-taker for Sindh, accounted for them.

Tabish, the right-arm pacer, took two wickets for 28 runs.

Both teams added one point to their accounts as Central Punjab went past the 200-run mark and Sindh took five wickets.

Qasim Akram, who is yet to open his account, and Bilawal Iqbal, not out on one, will resume the proceedings for Central Punjab on the second morning.

Khyber Pakhtunkhwa’s Kamran Ghulam scored a brilliant 130 not out as his side were 292 for nine in 83.4 over against Balochistan.

The 25-year-old right-handed batsman has struck 14 fours and two sixes in the 227 balls he has faced to date. This is his first century of the 2020-21 season and fifth of his career.

Kamran and Rehan Afridi, who scored 58 off 91, added crucial 95 runs for the sixth wicket after pacers Khurram Shehzad and Umaid Asif reduced Khyber Pakhtunkhwa to 64 for five.

Khurram Shehzad dismissed Khyber Pakhtunkhwa’s top-three batsmen – Musadiq Ahmed (one), Israrullah (19) and Fakhar Zaman (four).

With three for 69, Umaid was the pick of the bowlers. Pacer Taj Wali took two wickets for 70 runs.

Balochistan will be hoping to get Balochistan’s last wicket inside 300 runs so they can bag an additional all-out bonus point, along with the three over-based bonus points they have pocketed already, when the second day’s play commences.

Kamran, who will be hoping to breach the 300-run barrier to ensure his side pockets three bonus points for batting, will have the company of Irfanullah Shah.

Scores in brief:

At UBL Sports Complex, Southern Punjab elected to bat

Southern Punjab 285-10, 86.3 overs (Umar Siddiq 89, Saif Badar 81, Salman Ali Agha 53, Aamer Yamin 26, Zeeshan Ashraf 25; Sadaf Hussain 3-45, Munir Riaz 2-39, Nauman Ali 2-51)

Northern 6-0, 1 over (Sarmad Bhatti 6 not out)

Points to date: Southern Punjab 2, Northern 4

At National Stadium, Sindh elected to bowl (toss uncontested)

Central Punjab 232-5, 87 overs (Usman Salahuddin 80, Ali Zaryab 56, Saad Nasim 44, Mohammad Saad 41; Tabish Khan 2-28)

Points to date: Central Punjab 1, Sindh 1

At State Bank Stadium, Balochistan elected to bowl (toss uncontested)

Khyber Pakhtunkhwa 292-9, 83.4 overs (Kamran Ghulam 130 not out, Rehan Afridi 58, Khalid Usman 27; Umaid Asif 3-69, Khurram Shehzad 3-78, Taj Wali 2-70)

Points to date: Khyber Pakhtunkhwa 2, Balochistan 3

[saeed5646]

After flatties in last round pitches again seem to be better this round would. Like to see how some guys like Omair, Saud go in this round.

Highlights are available on official youTube channel of Pakistan cricket .Pitches of state bank & ubl of today's fixture were green top

[Bewal Express]

Saif Badar scoring but not enough to be noticed. He is one of those players that maybe benefit from being challenged. Too many soft dismissals.

[MenInG]

[MenInG]

Southern Punjab Vs Northern
1st Inning Northern
Day 2
Break Drink's
Total: 55
Wickets: 01
Overs: 14

Batsmen N.o
Sarmad Bhatti 19*
Umer Amin 0*

Batsmen out
Nasir Nawaz 36

Bowling
Bilawal Bhatti 1/8

Southern 1st Inning
285 all Out in 86.3 overs

[MenInG]

Qaid E Azam Trophy First Class

Date: 02-05 December 2020

Teams: Central Punjab Vs Sindh

Toss Uncontested: Sindh Chose to Bowl First

1st Inning of: Central Punjab

Day. 02 (03-12-2020)

Break Water 1

Total: 267

Wickets: 8

Overs: 99.3


Batsmen Not Out
1. Hassan Ali. 22
2.

Batsmen Out
1. Muhammad Akhlaq. 08
2. Ali Zaryab. 56 (152), 4 × 5
3. Usman Salahuddin. 80 (168), 4×9
4. Muhammad Saad. 41 (115), 4×3
5. Saad Nasim. 44 (50), 4×3,6×2
6. Bilawal Iqbal. 03
7. Qasim Akram. 00
8. Ali Shan. 11


Bowling
1. Mir Hamza. 3/53
2. Muhammad Umar. 1/41
3. Shahnawaz Dhani. 1/25
4. Tabish Khan. 2/36

[MenInG]

[Zakirktk]

153 by Kamran Ghulam , best innings of the season?

[Shafi]

What happened to Rahat Ali? Why he is not playing Quaid-e-Azam Trophy?

[MenInG]

[shaaik]

Saud Shakeel out on 1... good catch by Saad Nasim in slips off Hassan Ali’s bowling who is bowling good line and length today..

[JibranAnsari]

saud shakeel needs to be a little bit tight.

[shaaik]

saud shakeel needs to be a little bit tight.

That’s was a good delivery though and equally a good catch in the slips. One positive though, Hassan Ali bowling like his old self..

[JibranAnsari]

sindhs number 7 and 8 are amir hamza and tabish.

very light on batting.

[JibranAnsari]

That’s was a good delivery though and equally a good catch in the slips. One positive though, Hassan Ali bowling like his old self..

dont see saud batting in top 4 though , he is more a number 5 kind of batsman. 4 to max , obviously not a number 3.

[JibranAnsari]

a lot of pace from hasan ali , pcb needs to employ speed guns. How costly can they be?

[JibranAnsari]

dolly dropped by akhlaq.

[shaaik]

dont see saud batting in top 4 though , he is more a number 5 kind of batsman. 4 to max , obviously not a number 3.

We will only know when we play him.

[JibranAnsari]

only if hasan ali was 4 inches taller , would be a great bowler.

[shaaik]

Sind falling like a pack of cards 57/6.. need 69 to save follow on..

[shaaik]

only if hasan ali was 4 inches taller , would be a great bowler.

He might still come good if he keeps his off field antics in check..

[MenInG]

Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Vs Balochistan
1st Inning of Balochistan
Day. 2
Break Drink's
Total: 87
Wickets: 06
Overs: 25

Batsmen N.o
Bismillah Khan 32*
Umaid Asif 03*

Batsmen out
Azeem ghumman 03
Awais Zia 28
Ali Waqas 00
Akbar rehman 10
Ayaz tasawar 07
Kashif Bhatti 03

Bowling
Irfanullah Shah 4/35
Sameen gul 2/44

Southern Punjab Vs Northern
1st Inning Northern
Day. 2
Break Drink's
Total: 183
Wickets: 03
Overs: 44

Batsmen N.o
Umer Amin 58*
Muhammad Nawaz 29*

Batsmen out
Nasir Nawaz 36
Sarmad Bhatti 41
Faizan Riaz 10

Bowling
Bilawal Bhatti 1/11
Zahid Mehmood 1/45

Southern 1st Inning
285 all Out in 86.3 overs

[Xoib]

only if hasan ali was 4 inches taller , would be a great bowler.

Height is a good asset but it has been givin too much importance mainly due to Junaids fascination with it.

The likes of Steyn, Shami,Ntini, Ryan Harris, Philander have shown that ball skills, stamina, control are the 3 most important stuff for the bowler Height is a good compliment to the above 3 but not a real neccesacity

[JibranAnsari]

Height is a good asset but it has been givin too much importance mainly due to Junaids fascination with it.

The likes of Steyn, Shami,Ntini, Ryan Harris, Philander have shown that ball skills, stamina, control are the 3 most important stuff for the bowler Height is a good compliment to the above 3 but not a real neccesacity

steyn is 5 10.5
ryan harris is 5 11.25
shami is 5 10
philander is 5 9
ntini 5 9


and hasan ali is 5 7

[Thunderbolt14]

Sindh bowled out for 92, 6-fer for Waqas Maqsood.

[Xoib]

steyn is 5 10.5
ryan harris is 5 11.25
shami is 5 10
philander is 5 9
ntini 5 9


and hasan ali is 5 7

Ali is 5-8 he is taller then Musa who is 5 7.

No Shami is not 5 10 he is 5 8 at max

[MenInG]

[Xoib]

This has been a cracking round of cricket.

[MenInG]

Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Vs Balochistan
2nd Innings of KPK
Day. 2
Break Drink's
Total: 49
Wickets: 02
Overs: 16

Batsmen N.o
Kamran Ghulam 11*
Israrullah 26*

Batsmen out
Musaddiq Ahmed 05
Fakhar Zaman 06

Bowling
Khurram Shehzad 1/19
Taj Wali 1/12
KPK 320 all out

Balochistan 120 all out

[MenInG]

Southern Punjab Vs Northern

1st Inning Northern
Day. 2
Break Drink's
Total: 326
Wickets: 08
Overs: 75

Batsmen N.o
Hammad Azam 66
Munir Riaz 5

Batsmen out
Nasir Nawaz 36
Sarmad Bhatti 41
Faizan Riaz 10
Muhammad Nawaz 43
Umer Amin 102
Asif Ali 2
Umair Masood 0
Nauman Ali 5

Bowling
Bilawal Bhatti 1/11
Zahid Mehmood 3/97
Umer Khan 1/59
Zia Up Haq 2/60

Southern 1st Inning
285 all Out in 86.3 overs

[MenInG]

[MenInG]

[JibranAnsari]

extremely good bowling by Muhammad Umar. Hitting the seam at reasonable pace almost every time and line length is amazing.

[MenInG]

[Thunderbolt14]

Qasim Akram out for a pair of ducks. He’s a good prospect but not sure why people were hyping him so quickly.

[Xoib]

Suddenly some decent pace prospects

Dhani
Munir
Umar
Sameen
Khurram
Irfanullah

[angrypathan]

Fakhar Zaman fails again.

[Titan24]

Suddenly some decent pace prospects

Dhani
Munir
Umar
Sameen
Khurram
Irfanullah

Mohammad Wasim (19 year old pacer) as well looks pretty sharp and bowls that hard ball. Line and length needs some work definitely. No shabby with the bat too, scored some runs at U19 level.

[Ahmed216]

That’s was a good delivery though and equally a good catch in the slips. One positive though, Hassan Ali bowling like his old self..

Ya it was a good delivery but ordinary batting from Saud. Feet stuck and getting squared up to an away going ball. Disappointed to see him playing with same faulty technique like haris sohail.

[Firebat]

Central Punjab had a strong 280-run second innings lead over Sindh when the second day’s play of the sixth round of first-class Quaid-e-Azam Trophy came to an end at the National Stadium on Thursday.

Central Punjab’s bowlers, helped by Waqas Maqsood’s scorching six for 25, dismissed Sindh for a paltry 92 in 29.3 overs in the fixture.

This was Waqas’ 11th five-wicket haul in first-class cricket.

The 33-year-old accounted for both Sindh openers – Sharjeel Khan (14) and Omair Bin Yousuf (four) – before sending Tabish Khan (nine), Mir Hamza (16), Abrar Ahmed (0) and Shahnawaz Dhani (0) back to the hut.

Title defenders Central Punjab, who are currently at the bottom of the six-team points table, bagged all six bonus bowling points – three for taking eight wickets and the other three for dismissing the opposition under a score of 200 inside 100 overs.

Bilawal Iqbal took two wickets for 17 runs, while the Central Punjab captain Hasan Ali took one wicket from his 13 overs.

Only four Sindh batsmen recorded double-digit scores. Saad Ali, with 17, was the highest run-getter.

In their second innings, Central Punjab were 96 for five thanks to a fighting half-century from Muhammad Akhlaq, who is featuring in his first first-class match of the 2020-21 domestic season.

Akhlaq, the 28-year-old right-handed batsman scored 56. He smashed 10 of the 77 balls he faced for boundaries before he was dismissed by Abrar Ahmed, who took two wickets in the only over he bowled in the innings.

Abrar, called on to bowl by Sindh captain Asad Shafiq, on the verge of stumps also dismissed Qasim Akram (0) which saw Central Punjab slip from 95 for three to 95 for five.

This was the second instance in the innings that Sindh took two wickets in an over as pacer Mohammad Umar dismissed Usman Salahuddin (14) and Mohammad Saad (0) inside one over earlier in the evening session.

Saad Nasim (14 not out) and Ali Shan, who is yet to open his account, will resume Central Punjab’s innings on Friday.

Earlier, Central Punjab added 44 runs in the morning session before they were bowled out for 276.

They were 269 for eight at the completion of the 100th over which helped them bag two bonus points for batting. As such, Central Punjab gathered a total of eight bonus points, while Sindh added only three (all for bowling).

With an unbeaten 26, Hasan was the only notable contributor with the bat in the first innings on day two.

Northern’s Umar Amin’s 22nd first-class century dominated the second day of his team’s contest against Southern Punjab at the UBL Sports Complex.

The 31-year-old left-handed batsman scored 102 runs in an innings studded with 11 fours and two sixes.

Over the course of his 150-ball stay at the wicket, Umar stitched a 103-run partnership with Mohammad Nawaz (43 off 61 balls, four fours) to help Northern post an imposing 381 all out.

Hammad Azam scored 91 runs at almost run-a-ball as he struck 13 fours and two sixes in the 95 balls he faced.

Openers Sarmad Bhatti, who resumed the day on six not out, and Nasir Nawaz added 52 runs for the opening wicket.

The other notable contribution came from Munir Riaz, who batted at number 10 and was not out on 23.

Leg-spinner Zahid Mehmood returned four for 120 as he accounted for Faizan Riaz (10), Hammad, Umair Masood (0) and Northern captain Nauman Ali (five).

Northern added four more bonus points to their tally as they scored in the slab of 350-399 before they were dismissed inside 100 overs. On Wednesday, they had bagged four bonus points for bowling.

Southern Punjab got five bonus points – two for batting and three for bowling.

Southern Punjab, who were bowled out for 285 in the first innings, had scored 19 runs without the loss of any wickets in six overs, before the stumps were drawn.

Their openers Zain Abbas (seven not out) and Zeeshan Ashraf (12 not out) will resume the third day’s play with a 77-run second innings trail to surmount.

Khyber Pakhtunkhwa bagged the maximum (six) bowling bonus points on offer as they dismissed Balochistan for a measly 120 in 33 overs at the State Bank Stadium. Khyber Pakhtunkhwa have a healthy second innings-lead of 298.

Balochistan’s all 10 wickets were shared amongst Khyber Pakhtunkhwa’s pace trio of Irfanullah Shah, Sameen Gul and Mohammad Wasim.

With four wickets for 41 runs from 12 overs, Irfanullah was the pick of the bowlers. Featuring in his first first-class match of the 2020-21 domestic season, the 25-year-old dismissed Balochistan’s top-three batsmen – Azeem Ghumman (three), Awais Zia (28) and Ali Waqas (0) – before returning to send Kashif Bhatti (three) back to the hut.

Mohammad Wasim and Sameen Gul equally shared the remaining six wickets between them.

Balochistan were tottering at 26 for four, before a half-century by Bismillah Khan. The wicketkeeper-batsman, whose only century in the ongoing season had come against the same opposition in the first round of the ongoing tournament, was unbeaten on 50 off 60 balls, which included six fours and a six.

Khyber Pakhtunkhwa have pocketed nine bonus points (three for batting and six for bowling) after the second day’s play. For failing to breach the 200-run mark in their first innings, Balochistan failed to add any bonus points to their tally of three (for bowling) from the match.

Khyber Pakhtunkhwa had scored 98 for three in the 37 overs they have faced in their second innings before the close of play. Fifty of those runs came off Israrullah’s bat, as the opener scored his 28th half-century.

Israrullah was unbeaten on 50 and faced 101 balls, in which he hit four fours and two sixes.

Balochistan’s right-arm pacer Khurram Shahzad took two wickets for 34 runs, after returning four for 80 in the first innings.

Earlier, Kamran Ghulam added 23 runs to his overnight score of 130 as the middle-order batsman made 153 from 253 balls. His knock, which stretched over four sessions, included 18 fours and two sixes. He was dismissed by Khurram as Khyber Pakhtunkhwa were bowled out for 320 in the first innings.

Scores in brief:

At National Stadium, Sindh elected to bowl (toss uncontested)

Central Punjab 276 all out, 103.2 overs (Usman Salahuddin 80, Ali Zaryab 56, Saad Nasim 44, Mohammad Saad 41, Hasan Ali 26 not out; Tabish Khan 3-37, Mir Hamza 3-58) and 96-5, 29.4 overs (Muhammad Akhlaq 56; Abrar Ahmed 2-1, Mohammad Umar 2-15)

Sindh 92 all out, 29.3 overs (Saad Ali 17; Waqas Maqsood 6-25, Bilawal Iqbal 2-17)

First innings points: Central Punjab 8 (two batting, six bowling), Sindh 3 (all bowling)

At UBL Sports Complex, Southern Punjab elected to bat

Southern Punjab 285 all out, 86.3 overs (Umar Siddiq 89, Saif Badar 81, Salman Ali Agha 53, Aamer Yamin 26, Zeeshan Ashraf 25; Sadaf Hussain 3-45, Munir Riaz 2-39, Nauman Ali 2-51) and 19-0, 6 overs (Zain Abbas 7 not out, Zeeshan Ashraf 12 not out)

Northern 381 all out, 83 overs (Umar Amin 102, Hammad Azam 91, Mohammad Nawaz 43, Sarmad Bhatti 41, Nasir Nawaz 36, Munir Riaz 23 not out; Zahid Mehmood 4-120, Zia-ul-Haq 2-70)

First innings points: Southern Punjab 5 (two batting, three bowling), Northern 8 (four batting, four bowling)

At State Bank Stadium, Balochistan elected to bowl (toss uncontested)

Khyber Pakhtunkhwa 320 all out, 89.5 overs (Kamran Ghulam 153, Rehan Afridi 58, Khalid Usman 27; Khurram Shahzad 4-80, Umaid Asif 3-88, Taj Wali 2-77) and 98-3 (Israrullah 50 not out; Khurram Shahzad 2-34)

Balochistan 120 all out, 33 overs (Bismillah Khan 50 not out, Awais Zia 28; Irfanullah Shah 4-41, Mohammad Wasim Jr 3-24, Sameen Gul 3-54)

First innings points: Khyber Pakhtunkhwa 9 (three batting, six bowling), Balochistan 3 (all bowling)

[aloo paratha]

Sameen Gul comes back with a great figures straight away. Hope he plays all of the rest of the games.

[HappyWarsFan]

Sameen Gul comes back with a great figures straight away. Hope he plays all of the rest of the games.

He's actually one of the few bowlers I rate. Hopefully he can perform for the rest of the season and replace that clown Musa Khan in the future squads.

[aloo paratha]

He's actually one of the few bowlers I rate. Hopefully he can perform for the rest of the season and replace that clown Musa Khan in the future squads.

Agreed. His bowling style is similar to Stuart Broad. Bowls inswing, but has the ability to seam the ball both ways, and hits the pitch hard. He's improved his pace as well.

[Kaddy]

This round of Quaid-e-Azam trophy has been good for pacers.

Before that spinners were dominating.

Almost all the top wicket takers are spinners.

[Artaxerxes]

Sameen is much better than Musa.He deserves a place in Pakistan national side.

[shamaan]

Seems like the pitches this time around is alot better for the pacers good to see different pitches this time around.

[shamaan]

saud shakeel needs to be a little bit tight.

That was a good ball first up alot of players who have played at that first up

[shamaan]

Qasim Akram out for a pair of ducks. He’s a good prospect but not sure why people were hyping him so quickly.

Hes okay from the national cup and this qaid e azam he looks okay more of an all rounder who can bat at 7 or at most 6

[shamaan]

Suddenly some decent pace prospects

Dhani
Munir
Umar
Sameen
Khurram
Irfanullah

To be honest sameen should be around the shaheens squad as for the others dhani looks like very very good.its a pity Akif got injuired i would put hin right on top of the list

[shamaan]

Ya it was a good delivery but ordinary batting from Saud. Feet stuck and getting squared up to an away going ball. Disappointed to see him playing with same faulty technique like haris sohail.

I think if he was set he proberly would have left it but early on you want to feel the ball on to the ball. It was good delivery

[shamaan]

Agreed. His bowling style is similar to Stuart Broad. Bowls inswing, but has the ability to seam the ball both ways, and hits the pitch hard. He's improved his pace as well.

How many games as he played this year ? Becouse he should be playing all of them

[aloo paratha]

How many games as he played this year ? Becouse he should be playing all of them

Literally just this one. I think @Titan24 said he was injured at the start of the season. Regardless even last year he played 3 of the 10 games even though he was one of the top pacers in the three games that he played.