Umar Waheed of the Northern team has struck a century, while Southern Punjab’s Ali Usman took a fifer in the opening matches of the three-day Cricket Association Championship played at three different avenues of Punjab.
In the Southern Punjab vs Northern played at Rana Naved Cricket Academy Sheikhupura, a century from the captain Umar Waheed and a half-century from Mubasir Khan helped the Northern to post a 329 target on the board for Southern Punjab. Umar Waheed struck 17 fours in his 132 off 190 whereas the right-handed 19-year-old Mubasir Khan scored 83 runs off 128 balls. For Southern Punjab, left-arm spinner Ali Usman took five wickets for 111 and Kaleemullah Khan grabbed two wickets for 34. At the end of the first day, Southern Punjab was 15 for no loss.
A solid century from captain Umar Waheed and a half-century from Mubasir Khan helped Northern post 329 after they were asked to bat first.
Umar coming to bat at number three struck 17 fours in his 190-ball 132. The right-handed batter knitted a 140-run partnership for the fourth-wicket with Mubasir. Mubasir stroked nine fours in his 128-ball innings. The 19-year old batter scored 83 runs.
Kashif Iqbal contributed 38 off 54 laced with five fours and one six.
For Southern Punjab, left-arm spinner Ali Usman took five for 111 runs. Kaleemullah Khan grabbed two wickets for 34 runs. As the day winded up the Southern Punjab were 15 for no loss.
In Balochistan vs Khyber Pakhtunkhwa at Iqbal Stadium Faisalabad Balochistan was dismissed for 219 in the 71st over. Mohammad Shahid at number seven scored the highest 91 for the team, hitting 13 boundaries in the inning. Fahad Iqbal scored 44 off 107 and Sanaullah scored 30 off 66.
For Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, right-arm fast Ahmed Jamal took three for 30. Niaz Khan, Zeeshan Ahmad, and Zohaib Khan picked two wickets each. Khyber Pakhtunkhwa was 31 for two in 17 overs trailing by 188 runs when stumps were drawn at the end of the first day.
In Central Punjab vs Sindh played at LCCA Ground Lahore, half-centuries from Imran Dogar and Asfand Mehran helped Central Punjab post 293 at the end of the first day’s play.
The opening batter Imran topped the scorecard with 75 off 93 balls. He struck 13 boundaries. Asfand was another contributor with the bat with an unbeaten 71. Coming to bat at number eight, the left-handed batter hit nine fours. Mohammad Irfan Khan and Nisar Ahmad scored 42 and 48 runs, respectively.
Right-arm fast Imtiaz Legari was the pick of the bowlers for Sindh with four for 44. Mohammad Shahid and Ghulam Mudassar grabbed two wickets apiece. In the chase, Sindh was 32 at the loss of one at the end of the first day.
Scorecards:
Balochistan vs Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, Iqbal Stadium, Faisalabad
Balochistan win the toss and elect to bat first
Balochistan 219 all out, 71 overs (Mohammad Shahid 91, Fahad Iqbal 44, Sanaullah 30; Ahmed Jamal 3-30, Niaz Khan 2-37, Zeeshan Ahmad 2-42, Zohaib Khan 2-42)
Khyber Pakhtunkhwa 31-2, 17 overs
Central Punjab vs Sindh, LCCA Ground, Lahore
Sindh win the toss and decide to bowl first
Central Punjab 293 all out, 73.5 overs (Imran Dogar 75, Asfand Mehran 71 not out, Nisar Ahmad 48, Mohammad Irfan Khan 42; Imtiaz Legari 4-44, Mohammad Shahid 2-29, Ghulam Mudassar 2-48)
Sindh 32-1, 7.3 overs (Jahanzaib Sultan 22)
Southern Punjab vs Northern, Rana Naved Cricket Academy, Sheikhupura
Southern Punjab win the toss and decide to bowl first
Northern 329 all out, 81.3 overs (Umar Waheed 132, Mubasir Khan 83; Ali Usman 5-111, Kaleemullah Khan 2-34)
Southern Punjab 15-0, 4.5 overs
