Centurions Huraira, Faizan help Northern reach 347-3 in QT
By our correspondent
ABBOTTABAD: Northern batters Mohammad Huraira and Faizan Riaz struck sparkling centuries against Balochistan to help their side reach 347 for three on the first day of the third round of Quaid-e-Azam Trophy fixture at the Abbottabad Cricket Stadium on Sunday.
The 20-year-old Huraira struck his fourth career century in 14th match when he was dismissed after scoring 169, while 34-year-old Faizan was batting on 100 – his 15th century in 89 matches – as the two batters added 172 runs for the third wicket. Huraira struck 23 fours and a six in a 223-ball innings, while Faizan has faced 119 balls off which 14 have been converted into fours.
Huraira had earlier added 109 runs for the first wicket with Abdul Faseeh (34) and 34 runs for the second wicket with Umar Amin (22).
For Balochistan, left-arm fast bowler Taj Wali took three wickets for 60 runs.
Central Punjab’s right-arm spinner Usama Mir recorded career best figures of 28.4-8-91-6 to spin out Khyber Pakhtunkhwa for 220 in 77.4 overs at the Iqbal Stadium in Faisalabad. The defending champions were cruising nicely at 93 for no loss, before the introduction of the 26-year-old turned the innings on its head as Khyber Pakhtunkhwa lost their all 10 wickets for 127 runs.
Openers Waqar Ahmed (58) and Sahibzada Farhan (44) had provided a flying start to their side, but the top and middle-order collapsed like a house of cards against Usama. Only No.3 batter Nabi Gul (40) and No.8 batter Sajid Khan (21) offered some resistance.
When play ended on day one, Central Punjab were 24 for no loss. Abid Ali (20) and Ali Shan (4) will resume their innings on Monday.
At the Pindi Cricket Stadium, ATF Southern Punjab recovered from 178 for six to finished the day at 259 for seven. Ali Usman (35) and Mohammad Ilyas (28) were the two not out batters.
No.3 batter Usman Salahuddin was the top-scorer with 89, that came off 214 balls and included 12 fours. Together with Umar Siddiq (47), Usman added 56 runs for the second wicket, while he put on 47 runs for the seventh wicket with Ali Usman.
For Sindh, spinner Abrar Ahmed finished with figures of 35-9-77-3, while Mohammad Umar took two for 51.
Scores in brief (3rd round, day 1 of 4)
Toss uncontested – Sindh decided to field v AFT Southern Punjab at Pindi Cricket Stadium, Rawalpindi
AFT Southern Punjab (1st innings) 259-7, 90 overs (Usman Salahuddin 89, Umar Siddiq 47, Ali Usman 35 not out, Mohammad Ilyas 28 not out; Abrar Ahmed 3-77, Mohammad Umar 2-51) v Sindh
Khyber Pakhtunkhwa won the toss and elected to bat v Central Punjab at Iqbal Stadium, Faisalabad
Khyber Pakhtunkhwa (1st innings) 220 all out, 77.4 overs (Waqar Ahmed 58, Sahibzada Farhan 44, Nabi Gul 40; Usama Mir 6-91, Ahmed Daniyal 3-33) v Central Punjab 24-0, 6 overs
Toss uncontested –Balochistan decided to field v Northern at Abbottabad Cricket Stadium, Abbottabad
Northern (1st innings) 347-3, 78.2 overs (Mohammad Huraira 169, Faizan Riaz 100 not out, Abdul Faseeh 34, Umar Amin 22; Taj Wali 3-60) v Balochistan