Lahore, 17 November 2021: Left-arm orthodox Kashif Bhatti recorded a five-wicket haul for Balochistan against Northern at Faisalabad’s Iqbal Stadium on first day of the fifth round of Quaid-e-Azam Trophy 2021-22. This was 35-year-old’s 22nd first-class five-for.
Kashif took five wickets for 92 runs in 30 overs as Northern finished the day on 244 for nine and helped Balochistan gather three bowling points with an eye on bonus points (for bowling out opposition). If Balochistan dismiss Northern’s last wicket under 250 they would bag two points. Doing so between the score of 251-300 would get them one point.
The other four wickets were shared equally between off-spinner Raza-ul-Hasan and left-arm orthodox Jalat Khan.
With the scores of 47 and 41, Northern’s Abdul Faseeh and Rohail Nazir put up resistance. Both batters, however, were sent packing by Kashif.
In the match between Central Punjab and Khyber Pakhtunkhwa at Multan Cricket Stadium, Mohammad Saad was not out on 64 as the former closed the day on 206 for six after the latter opted to bowl without contesting the toss.
Saad had arrived at the crease with Central Punjab at 84 for two and smashed seven fours from the 131 balls he faced. He was joined by all-rounder Zafar Gohar (21 not out) when stumps were drawn.
Khyber Pakhtunkhwa’s pacer Imran Khan Snr and left-arm orthodox Asif Afridi took two wickets each, while Sameen Gul and Khalid Usman removed a batter each.
Half-centuries by captain Umar Siddiq and Imran Rafiq had Southern Punjab on 211 for four against Sindh at the Gaddafi Stadium. The pair added 118 runs for the third wicket before Imran was out on 68 (eight fours). Umar was unbeaten on 61 (seven fours, 148 balls).
Opener Zain Abbas struck 45 and stitched a 61-run opening partnership with Tayyab Tahir (24) after Sindh captain Asad Shafiq elected to bowl without contesting the toss.
The four wickets to fall on the day were picked up by Sohail Khan, Mir Hamza, Tabish Khan and Mohammad Asghar.
Scores in brief:
Northern won the toss and elected to bat against Balochistan at Iqbal Stadium, Faisalabad
Northern 244-9, 84 overs (Abdul Faseeh 47, Rohail Nazir 41, Umar Amin 37, Muhammad Huraira 33, Mehran Mumtaz 23, Aamir Jamal 22; Kashif Bhatti 5-92, Raza-ul-Hasan 2-37, Jalat Khan 2-68)
Innings points – Northern 1, Balochistan 3
Toss Uncontested – Khyber Pakhtunkhwa opt to bowl against Central Punjab at Multan Cricket Stadium
Central Punjab 206-6, 70.3 overs (Mohammad Saad 64 not out, Ahmed Shehzad 36, Imran Dogar 32, Saif Badar 23, Zafar Gohar 21 not out; Asif Afridi 2-42, Imran Khan Snr 2-73)
Innings points – Central Punjab 1, Khyber Pakhtunkhwa 2
Toss Uncontested – Sindh opt to bowl against Southern Punjab at Gaddafi Stadium, Lahore
Southern Punjab 211-4, 73 overs (Imran Rafiq 68, Umar Siddiq 61 not out, Zain Abbas 45, Tayyab Tahir 24)
Innings points – Southern Punjab 1, Sindh 1
