CP surge ahead in race for final slot as Kamran crosses 1,000-run mark

KARACHI: Central Punjab rode a magnificent double century from Usman Salahuddin to make rapid progress in quest to qualify for the Quaid-e-Azam Trophy final after dominating second of the their must-win last round clash against Southern Punjab on Sunday.

Southern Punjab, who are currently second in the standings behind Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, were reeling at 153-9 in response to Central Punjab’s commanding total of 493-7 declared with the SBP Sports Complex pitch not going to any better over the remaining two days of play.

Kamran Ghulam, meanwhile, became the first player in the revamped first-class championship to cross the magical figure of 1,000 runs while notching up his fourth century in the ongoing season as Khyber Pakhtunkhwa amassed 521 at the National Stadium. Last year’s runners-up Northern are mathematically out of the final race despite responding with 180-2.

But the highlight of the day undoubtedly was Usman’s career-best innings of 219 as the Pakistan discard hit 27 boundaries and a brace of sixes during his epic 346-ball in 487 minutes after resuming the day on 139.

Qasim Akram further underlined his potential as a future star by making 65 as the youngster helped Usman add 142 for the fifth wicket in 132 minutes.

Southern Punjab struggled from the onset of their reply as they slipped to 99-5. Captain Umar Siddique was the top scorer with 51, while the in-form Agha Salman contributed 45 before being run out.

Central Punjab’s inspirational team leader Hasan and his new-ball partner Bilawal Iqbal have so far shared six wickets between them.

Khyber Pakhtunkhwa were on course for a huge first-innings total when they restarted play at 380-4 with Kamran and Zohaib Khan at the crease. But they suddenly found part-time spinner Ali Sarfraz becoming their nemesis with startling career-best analysis of four for 15 in five overs after being pressed into the attack by Northern skipper Nauman Ali as the eighth bowler.

From 498-4, Khyber Pakhtunkhwa capitulated without a trace as the last six wickets tumbled for the addition of mere 23 runs.

Kamran, who became the third centurion in the innings following Israrullah (127) and Rehan Afridi (127) reaching three figures on Saturday’s opening day.

The 25-year-old was finally dismissed by Ali for 107 (230 balls, 11 fours and one six) while sharing a fifth-wicket stand of 118 with Zohaib (69).

Sindh, meanwhile, yet again flattered to deceive as the bottom-placed side struggled to 160-6 after Balochistan had posted 414 all out in their first innings at the UBL Sports Complex with Akbar-ur-Rehman scoring 164 (306 balls, 16 fours and one six).

Close of play scores on Sunday (day two of four):

First XI, 10th round:

At National Stadium, Karachi: KHYBER PAKHTUNKHWA 521 in 130.2 overs (Israrullah 127, Rehan Afridi 127, Kamran Ghulam 107, Zohaib Khan 69, Sahibzada Farhan 62; Ali Sarfraz 4-15, Mubasir Khan 2-108); NORTHERN 180-2 in 48 overs (Nasir Nawaz 65, Mubasir Khan 57 not out, Umar Amin 31, Mohammad Nawaz 26 not out).

At UBL Sports Complex, Karachi: BALOCHISTAN 414 in 126 overs (Akbar-ur-Rehman 164, Ayaz Tasawwar 72, Imran Farhat 42, Bismillah Khan 42, Umaid Asif b25, Jalat Khan 22;Mohammad Asghar 5-101, Shahnawaz Dhani 2-77, Tabish Khan 2-80); SINDH 160-6 in 52 overs (Asad Shafiq 65 not out, Azam Khan 38, Mohammad Hasan 27; Taj Wali 2-17, Umaid Asif 2-26).

At SBP Sports Complex, Karachi: CENTRAL PUNJAB 493-7 declared in 117.4 overs (Usman Salahuddin 219 not out, Ali Zaryab 78, Saad Nasim 72, Qasim Akram 65; Zahid Mahmood 4-152); SOUTHERN PUNJAB 153-9 in 62 overs (Umar Siddique 51, Agha Salman 45, Aamir Yamin 23; Bilawal Iqbal 3-23, Hasan Ali 3-40).