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KARACHI: Former Pakistan opener Imran Farhat overcame a bout of cramps to score his 38th first-class century before Southern Punjab picked up late wickets against Balochistan on a fluctuating first day of the second-round Quaid-e-Azam Trophy fixture here at the National Stadium on Saturday.
Elsewhere, ex-Pakistan captain Sarfaraz Ahmed came to Sindh’s rescue against Khyber Pakhtunkhwa while sharing a century partnership with Fawad Alam at the UBL Sports Complex, while holders Central Punjab suffered a inexplicable batting debacle in their meeting with last season’s runners-up Northern at the NBP Sports Complex.
After the toss was uncontested, Balochistan made swift recovery after the shock first-ball dismissal of Sami Aslam (trapped LBW by Mohammad Ilyas) as the two Imrans — the 38-year-old Farhat and Butt — came together to share a magnificent partnership of exactly 200 in 224 minutes. But at this point Imran Farhat called quits with his score on 100 (138 balls, 15 fours).
Imran Butt made 92 off 171 balls (10 fours) before being dismissed by leg-spinner Zahid Mahmood before Balochistan ended the day at 297-6.
Sarfaraz slammed an unbeaten 68 (81 balls, five boundaries) as Sindh recovered from 100-4 to collect 245-6 at draw of stumps after winning the toss against Khyber Pakhtunkhwa. Fawad, who put on 119 with his captain, followed up his 115 against Central Punjab by making 91 (177 balls, eight fours).
In the other game where spin of the coin was not required, the Central Punjab batsmen were all at sea at the NBP Sports Complex, which is located near the seaside, as the champions folded up for 159 in their first innings with just opener Ali Zaryab fighting it out with a defiant 144-ball innings of 78 (nine fours and one six).
Northern skipper Nauman Ali grabbed 4-55 and fellow slow left-armer Raza Hasan took 3-27.
By stumps, Northern had advanced to 116-3 in their response.
Close of play scores on Saturday (day one of four):
First XI, second round:
At National Stadium, Karachi: BALOCHISTAN 297-6 in 81,3 overs (Imran Farhat 100 retired hurt, Imran Butt 92, Taimur Ali 41 not out, Amad Butt 21; Mohammad Ilyas 2-48, Zahid Mahmood 2-86) vs SOUTHERN PUNJAB.
At UBL Sports Complex, Karachi: SINDH 245-6 in 90 overs (Fawad Alam 91, Sarfaraz Ahmed 68 not out, Saud Shakeel 38, Asad Shafiq 26; Sajid Khan 2-85) vs KHYBER PAKHTUNKHWA.
At NBP Sports Complex, Karachi: CENTRAL PUNJAB 159 (Ali Zaryab 78, Qasim Akram 25; Nauman Ali 4-55, Raza Hasan 3-27, Waqas Ahmed 2-35); NORTHERN 116-3 in 33 overs (Umair Masood 36, Asif Ali 34 not out, Umar Amin 26 not out; Hasan Ali 2-36).