Karachi (Sports Report):-Captain’s innings from Iftikhar Ahmed helped Khyber Pakhtunkhwa post 252 for five on the opening day of the five-day pink-ball final of the Quaid-e-Azam Trophy 2021-22 at the National Stadium in Karachi on Saturday.
The right-handed batter Iftikhar brought up his first century of the tournament facing 168 balls. He stitched a 104-run partnership for the fourth wicket with Kamran Ghulam who scored 72 off 196 balls, hitting 11 fours. The right-handed Kamran fell to Mohammad Nawaz in the final session of the day. Iftikhar was the last wicket to fall on the first day, when he was bowled by Waqas Ahmed for 102 facing 170 balls, which included 13 fours. Wicketkeeper-batter Rehan Afridi (23, one four, 53b) and Asif Afridi (three off seven) were not out. For Northern, Waqas picked three wickets for 52.
Earlier Northern won the toss and opted to bowl first. Regular captain Nauman Ali was side lined due to a foot injury, Umar Amin was named the side’s captain for the final. Seasoned pacer Waqas provided Northern the perfect start by sending back Fakhar Zaman and this season’s leading run-getter Sahibzada Farhan on consecutive balls of the second over the match. The experienced pair of Ashfaq Ahmed and Kamran took Khyber Pakhtunkhwa to 77 for two at tea, adding 71 runs in the first session for their third wicket alliance.
Khyber Pakhtunkhwa lost Ashfaq’s wicket soon after the break, the right-hander fell for 45 off 92 balls (five fours) with off-spinner Mubasir Khan taking his wicket – the 26th of the season for the youngster. Captain Iftikhar joined Kamran at the crease after Ashfaq’s departure, Kamran reached the 13th half-century of his first-class career off 131 balls (nine fours). Kamran and Iftikhar added 73 runs till the break, Khyber Pakhtunkhwa were 158 for three at dinner after 55 overs.
Scores in brief:
Khyber Pakhtunkhwa 252-5, 87 overs (Iftikhar Ahmed 102, Kamran Ghulam 72, Ashfaq Ahmed 45; Waqas Ahmed 3-52)
Match points so far: Khyber Pakhtunkhwa 2; Northern 1
