Cricket
Late strikes give Northern advantage on action-packed day
Late strikes give Northern advantage on action-packed day
SB Report
Karachi, 4 December 2019:Two quick Khyber Pakhtunkhwa wickets, minutes before the close of play gave Northern the upper hand on an action-packed day-three of the Quaid-e-Azam Trophy first-class 10th round game being played at the UBL Sports Complex in Karachi on Wednesday.
Northern who need an outright win to book their place in the 27-31 December tournament final declared their second innings at 139 for six, setting Khyber Pakhtunkhwa (needing a draw to qualify for the final) an enthralling 245-run chase.
Northern then made full use of the nine overs they bowled at Khyber Pakhtunkhwa before close by taking the prized scalps of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa captain Fakhar Zaman (7) and his fellow opener Sahibzada Farhan (9). Khyber Pakhtunkhwa will start the fourth and final day on Thursday needing another 206 runs for a win while Northern would aim to bowl out the opposition in what promises to be a thrilling day with the all to play for both sides.
On Wednesday, resuming their first innings at the overnight score of 156 for six, Khyber Pakhtunkhwa were bailed out of trouble and the prospects of a follow-on by a 110-run seventh wicket partnership between Mehran Ibrahim and Rehan Afridi. Mehran (54 off 98 balls, nine fours) fell on the stroke of lunch becoming the sixth victim of pacer Mohammad Waqas.
Rehan remained unbeaten on 95 off 147 balls, his innings included 11 fours and one six. He found valuable support from Usman Shinwari (14 off 22 balls, two fours). Khyber Pakhtunkhwa were bowled out for 306 handing a 105-run lead to Northern. Waqas finished with figures of six for 109, Northern captain Nauman Ali took two wickets for 56 runs.
Northern lost wickets at regular intervals in search of quick runs in their second innings, opener Zeeshan Malik scored his second fifty of the match to lead the run-charge. Zeeshan’s 44-ball 52 included two fours and two sixes besides some quick running as Khyber Pakhtunkhwa spread the field in a bid to thwart the scoring rate.
Northern made a timely declaration and then reaped rewards of their move by snaring Fakhar and Farhan to bring close to an exciting day’s play.
Scores in brief:
Northern 411 for 8 declared, 106.4 overs (Sarmad Bhatti 109, Hammad Azam 76, Faizan Riaz 63, Zeeshan Malik 61; Sajid Khan 4-121, Usman Khan Shinwari 2-71) and 139 for 6 declared, 25.2 overs (Zeeshan Malik 52, Faizan Riaz 22; Sajid Khan 2-15)
Khyber Pakhtunkhwa 306 all out, 100.2 overs (Rehan Afridi 95 not out, Fakhar Zaman 66, Mehran Ibrahim 54; Waqas Ahmed 6-109, Nauman Ali 2-56) and 39 for 2, 9 overs (Sarmad Bhatti 1-13, Nauman Ali 1-15)
Central Punjab consolidate birth in final
Central Punjab consolidate birth in final
SB Report
Karachi, 4 December 2019:After batting for almost two days, Central Punjab secured three valuable bowling points as well by squeezing Southern Punjab to 392 before the culmination of the third day's play at the State Bank Stadium on Wednesday. Central Punjab, opted not to follow-on the opposition, have scored one run before stumps were drawn to stack an overall lead of 206 runs.
Central Punjab were on top of the table, with 120 points, prior to the final round of the four-day first class Quaid-e-Azam trophy and now certain to feature in the final encounter of country's premier first class tournament.
Central Punjab started off the third day of the last round Quaid-e-Azam trophy encounter against Southern Punjab by making early inroads courtesy Bilal Asif who dismissed overnight batsmen Umar Siddiq (27) and Abdul Rehman Muzammil (0) with 69 runs on the board.
Zeeshan Ashraf held one end to knit small partnerships with Sohaib Maqsood and Adnan Akmal to escort Southern Punjab beyond the 150-run mark. Sohaib Maqsood was snapped by Ehsan Adil on 29, followed by an early departure of captain Adnan Akmal (14) to further dent the Southern's campaign.
Zeeshan Ashraf completed his fighting century and Southern Punjab reached 254 for five at the tea interval with Zeeshan on 126 and the other eventual century maker Agha Salman on 39.
The Central Punjab bowlers came hard on the opposition, in the final session of the day, to first saw the back of centurion Zeeshan Ashraf, followed by the scalps of Zulfiqar Babar and Zia-ul-Haq without an addition to the score.
Zeeshan Ashraf stroked 212-ball 141, studded with 15 fours and three sixes, to form a 113-run partnership with Salman Ali Agha, who later went on to hammer a quick ton, before getting picked up by Bilal Asif on 140 off 166 balls, with 18 fours and three maximums. Southern Punjab were bowled out at 392.
Bilal Asif was the chief destroyer for Central Punjab with his fifth five-wicket haul in first-class cricket while Ehsan Adil and Zafar Gohar chipped in with three and two wickets respectively.
Central Punjab opted not to follow-on and decided to bat again to score a run without loss at the close of the day's play. Central Punjab, which scored 597 runs in the first innings, have now an overall lead of 206 runs.
Scores in brief:
Central Punjab 597-9 declared, 170 overs (Abdullah Shafiq 133, Usman Salahuddin 114, Mohammad Saad 105 not out, Ahmed Shehzad 100; Salman Ali Agha 3-85, Rahat Ali 2-104, Zia-ul-Haq 2-135, Zulfiqar Babar 2-151) and 1-0, 1 over
Southern Punjab 392 all out, 95.1 overs ( Zeeshan Ashraf 141, Agha Salman 140; Bilal Asif 5-130, Ehsan Adil 3-75, Zafar Gohar 2-110)
Manzoor and Shakeel reel off hundreds in Sindh fightback
Manzoor and Shakeel reel off hundreds in Sindh fightback
SB Report
Karachi, 4 December 2019:Khurram Manzoor and Saud Shakeel hit centuries as Sindh hit back hard at Balochistan on day three of the four-day tenth round first class Quaid-e-Azam Trophy match at the National Stadium on Wednesday.
Responding to Balochistan’s first innings total of 471 for nine declared, Sindh had reached 356 for five in 115 overs at stumps.
Fawad Alam continuing his rich vein of form, and remained unbeaten at close with 69 runs with Hasan Mohsin (7) the other not out batsman.
Alam’s innings came after Khurram and Saud had frustrated Balochistan bowlers with a big second-wicket partnership of 213 runs which ended after lunch.
Manzoor scored his first hundred of the season making 109 from 208 balls with 15 fours while Shakeel carried on to a big score of 151 from 275 balls with 16 fours.
Both the batsmen dominated the bowlers with some spanking shots on both sides of the ground when play resumed this morning and on a good batting track even successful left arm spinner, Mohammad Asghar went wicket less.
It was another left arm spinner, Jalat Khan who broke the partnership when he had Khurram caught by Taj Wali at the total of 220 and two runs later, he also snared the priced wicket of Saad Ali who fell for a duck caught by keeper Bismillah Khan.
Saud and Fawad then teamed up for another century partnership before left arm pacer, Taj Wali finally removed the centurion who reached his 150 from 263 balls while Amad Butt bowled captain, Sarfaraz Ahmed for 15 runs.
Till the third day a total of five centuries have been scored in the match as from Balochistan, their captain, Imran Farhat (137), Akbar-ur-Rehman (122) and Amad Butt (106) were the centurions.
Khurram and Saud completed the 200 runs of their partnership from 366 balls and 264 minutes.
Both Sindh and Balochistan are out of the race for a place in the final.
Scores in brief:
Balochistan 471-9 declared, 150.2 overs (Imran Farhat 137, Akbar-ur-Rehman 122, Amad Butt 106, Asif Zakir 53; Mir Hamza 4-98, Sohail Khan 3-75)
Sindh 356-5, 115 overs (Saud Shakeel 151, Khurram Manzoor 109, Fawad Alam 69 not out; Jalat Khan 2-73, Taj Wali 2-75)
PCB-Pepsi National U16 three-day tournament Hasnain and Shamyl shine in Northern win
PCB-Pepsi National U16 three-day tournament Hasnain and Shamyl shine in Northern win
Abdullah Asjad
iSLAMABAD, 4 December 2019:Northern U16 v Balochistan U16, Shalimar Cricket Ground, Islamabad
Shamyl Hussain’s century and left-arm spinner Mohammad Hasnain’s nine wickets in the match helped Northern U16 beat Balochistan U16 by an innings and 44 runs on day-two of the PCB-Pepsi National U16 three-day match at the Shalimar Cricket Ground, Islamabad on Wednesday.
Resuming their first innings on 114 for three, Northern were bowled out for 262 in 85.3 overs courtesy 110 runs from opening batsman Shamyl Hussain.
In reply, Balochistan U16 were bowled out for 89 runs in 34.1 overs in their second innings handing Northern U16 an innings and 44 runs win.
For Northern, Mohammad Hasnain took four second innings wickets and ended up with match figures of nine for 70 runs.
Khyber Pakhtunkhwa U16 v Sindh U16, Iqbal Stadium, Faisalabad
At Iqbal Stadium in Faisalabad, at the close of second day’s play, Khyber Pakhtunkhwa require another 87 runs to win the match against Sindh U16.
Resuming their first innings on 103 for two in 28 overs, Khyber Pakhtunkhwa were bowled out for 179 in response to Sindh’s 163 first innings score.
Aaliyan Mehmood took seven wickets for 68 runs for Sindh.
In reply, Sindh in their second innings were bundled out for 120 in 42.2 overs.
For Sindh Saad Baig top-scored with 61, while for Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, Mohammad Umar grabbed five wickets.
Chasing 105 to win the match, Khyber Pakhtunkhwa were 18 for one in five overs when stumps were drawn.
Scores in brief:
Northern U16 v Balochistan U16, Shalimar Cricket Ground, Islamabad
Balochistan 129 all out, 47 overs (Khalid Khan 35; Mohammad Hasnain 5-35) and 89 all out, 34.1 overs (Ikram Ullah 24; Mohammad Hasnain 4-35, Atif Khan 3-7)
Northern 262 all out, 85.3 overs (Shamyl Hussain 110, Aseer Mughal 45; Faiz Ullah 4-87, Arbaz Khan 3-48)
Result: Northern U16 win by an innings and 44 runs
Khyber Pakhtunkhwa U16 v Sindh U16, Iqbal Stadium, Faisalabad
Sindh 163 all out, 67.1 overs (Syed Taha Shah 36; Mohammad Irfan 6-32) and120 all out,42.2 overs (Saad Baig 61; Mohammad Umar 5-27)
Khyber Pakhtunkhwa 179 all out, 57.3 overs (Abbas Ali 66; Aaliyan Mehmood 7-68) and 18-1, 5 overs
PCB statement on curators and cricket grounds audit
PCB statement on curators and cricket grounds audit
SB News
Lahore, 3 December 2019:The Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) had awarded two-month contracts to curators who were previously employed by the 16 regions until 19 August 2019. Through an extension to that arrangement, the PCB has decided that it will make an additional two-month ex-gratia payment to these curators i.e. until 19 December 2019, following which the ground owners themselves will make a decision pertaining to their future employment at the respective grounds.
In this relation, the PCB has already contacted most of the curators to inform them of the decision, and their payments are expected to be transferred into their bank accounts very soon.
In 2010, the PCB had decided to pay the curators directly on behalf of the regions after it had received complaints of either delayed or reduced payments.
Meanwhile, a study carried out by the PCB Domestic Cricket Operations Department on the state and condition of the 63 grounds which were either developed or facilitated by PCB, has revealed staggering mismanagement and misuse of valuable funds, resulting in the current deplorable conditions of the grounds.
The audit exercise has further revealed 27 grounds were not fit to host any level of cricket matches, while barring a few, the remaining 36 grounds are also not up to the required standard to stage PCB-organised matches.
Similarly, at a number of grounds, matches have not been held in the last few years, while the investigations have also unearth cases of ghost employees.
Over the past five years, the PCB had provided funding of over PKR 317million to the 16 regions to manage these 63 grounds in terms of equipment, repairs and administrative expenses.
The following is the breakdown of funding provided to the 16 regions:
Office Staff (2014-2019) – PKR34,780,911
Ground staff (2014-2019) – PKR221,546,514
Equipment/maintenance (2015-2019) – PKR36,264,019
Office running expenses (2015-2019) – PKR24,760,076
Total cost – PKR317,350,620
As the 16 regions have ceased to exist following the promulgation of the new PCB Constitution on 19 August 2019, the PCB has decided it will no longer provide financial support for ground-related expenses.
The PCB has also decided these grounds will be handed over to the six Cricket Associations, who will be required to develop, maintain, manage and use them as ‘home’ venues in their respective jurisdictions.
In the meantime, the PCB advises all cricket ground owners (or those having legal rights in relation thereto) to approach the PCB directly for any assistance in terms of providing support through the provision of relevant equipment and/or grants for engaging ground staff.
Runs galore at SBP stadium as Central Punjab secure vital points
Runs galore at SBP stadium as Central Punjab secure vital points
SB News
Karachi, 3 December 2019:The table-topper, with 120 points before the last round, Central Punjab continued to pile up runs on the second day of the Quaid-e-Azam trophy fixture against Southern Punjab to consolidate their birth in the final match of the four-day first class tournament. Four of Central Punjab batsmen scored centuries to narrate the hard labour for South Punjab's bowlers and fielders.
Central Punjab resumed their innings on the second day, at the State Bank stadium, from 339 for four and overnight batsman Kamran Akmal marched on to his 62nd first-class half century. The 245-match veteran couldn't last long and fell prey to Zia-ul-Haq on 68 with nine fours. At the lunch break, Central Punjab had accumulated 452 runs without further damage.
The second session saw another ton for Central Punjab when Usman Salahuddin raised the bat for his 23rd first-class century. Central Punjab, in 110 overs, scored 421 runs for the loss of five wickets to bag five batting points while the bowling side, Southern Punjab, could only siphon a solitary bowling point.
The 29-year old right hander, Usman Salahuddin was bowled by Salman Ali Agha on 114 in the 133rd over of the innings, however Mohammad Saad carried the marathon innings forward to reach his personal three-figure milestone in the third session of the day. Zafar Gohar and Bilal Asif couldn't cash in on the run flow and perished to Salman Agha on 19 and 16 respectively.
Central Punjab, at last, declared their innings after 170 overs on 597/9, which is also the highest innings tally of the season. Mohammad Saad stood unbeaten with 105 runs, studded with six fours and two maximums.
Salman Ali Agha topped the bowling chart with three while Rahat Ali, Zia-ul-Haq and Zulfiqar Babar bagged two wickets each.
After the tiring day, in the field, Southern Punjab got an early blow in the form of prolific Sami Aslam who was picked up by Ehsan Adil for only three.
Umar Siddiq (10) and Zeeshan Ashraf (7) saw off the day to drag Southern Punjab to 23/1 in nine overs. The Adnan Akmal-led outfit are still trailing by 574 runs.
Scores in brief:
Central Punjab 597-9 declared, 170 overs (Abdullah Shafiq 133, Usman Salahuddin 114, Mohammad Saad 105 not out, Ahmed Shehzad 100; Salman Ali Agha 3-85, Rahat Ali 2-104, Zia-ul-Haq 2-135, Zulfiqar Babar 2-151)
Southern Punjab 23-1, nine overs
Waqas takes five wickets as Northern take control against Khyber Pakhtunkhwa
Waqas takes five wickets as Northern take control against Khyber Pakhtunkhwa
SB News
Karachi, 3 December 2019:Northern strengthened their position against Khyber Pakhtunkhwa on day-two of the Quaid-e-Azam Trophy first-class 10th round game being played at the UBL Sports Complex in Karachi on Tuesday. After amassing 411 runs in their first innings, Khyber Pakhtunkhwa were left reeling at 156 for six as Northern pace man Waqas Ahmed took five wickets to give his team the upper hand.
Resuming at the overnight score of 341 for five, Northern used the long handle effectively to reach the 400-run mark inside 110 overs which ensured the accumulation of full five batting points. Khyber Pakhtunkhwa collected two bowling points by taking eight wickets.
Northern declared shortly after reaching the 400-run mark, Sarmad Bhatti who resumed at 70 not out, posted the third century of his first-class career. The left-hander was dismissed for 109 runs; he hit 12 fours and two sixes in his 201-ball innings.
Sohail Tanvir fell for a 48-ball 26, Northern captain Nauman Ali declared the innings with Sohail’s dismissal in the 107th over of the innings. Khyber Pakhtunkhwa off-spinner Sajid Khan took four wickets for 121 runs.
The game was turned on its head as Waqas took five wickets in the post-tea session to give his side the initiative in the all-important tie, a win for Northern will guarantee them a place in the 27-31 December tournament final while Khyber Pakhtunkhwa need to draw the game to edge past Northern and secure a final spot along with Central Punjab.
Khyber Pakhtunkhwa were seemingly placed at a position of comfort at 114 for one when Ashfaq Ahmed was dismissed for 29, Ashfaq became Waqas’ first victim. The right-armer dismantled the middle-order as Khyber Pakhtunkhwa were reduced to 136 for six, in a probing spell, Waqas dismissed Fakhar Zaman (66 off 131 balls, 11 fours) Adil Amin (1), Zohaib Khan (6) and Israrullah (14).
Scores in brief:
Northern 411 for 8, 106.4 overs (Sarmad Bhatti 109, Hammad Azam 76, Faizan Riaz 63, Zeeshan Malik 61; Sajid Khan 4-121, Usman Khan Shinwari 2-71)
Khyber Pakhtunkhwa 156 for 6, 60 overs (Fakhar Zaman 66, Ashfaq Ahmed 29; Waqas Ahmed 5-51)
Balochistan go on run spree against Sindh
Balochistan go on run spree against Sindh
SB News
Karachi, 3 December 2019:All-rounder Amad Butt scored a century to put Balochistan in a strong position against Sindh on day two of the four-day tenth round first class Quaid-a-Azam Trophy match at the National Stadium on Tuesday.
Butt joined Imran Farhat (137) and Akbar-ur-Rehman (122) as the third centurion in the Balochistan innings which closed at 471 for nine declared in 150.2 overs.
Sindh has responded with 71 for one in 27 overs when stumps were called for the day with Khurram Manzoor batting on 40 and Saud Shakeel on 30 as the two overcame the early loss of opener, Omair Bin Yousuf (one) to put on an undefeated 64 runs.
Manzoor had hit five fours in his undefeated innings.
Earlier Balochistan resuming on 271 for two lost their overnight centurions, Farhat and Akbar one after the other.
At 271, Farhat fell to the bowling of Mir Hamza while Akbar was picked up by Sohail Khan at the total of 276 runs.
Akbar’s 122 lasted for 270 balls with 14 fours while left-hander, Farhat’s 137 came from 263 balls laced with 18 fours.
Hamza also picked up Bismillah Khan (10) at the total of 300 runs to sense they could bowl out Balochistan before lunch.
But Amad Butt who played a free flowing knock teamed up with Asif Zakir (53 off 105 balls) for a sixth-wicket partnership of 107 runs in quick time as he hit a total of 12 fours and one six in his 156 ball innings.
Butt had reached his century from 144 balls with 12 fours and one six.
Left arm pacer, Mir Hamza playing after a break due to an injury was the best bowler for Sindh finishing with four for 98 while Sohail took three for 75 runs.
Butt who bowled the pivotal final over against the Indian emerging team in the recent Emerging Asia Cup to give his team victory was in top form with the bat and underlined his growing stature as an all-rounder.
Both the teams are playing the match for the fifth and sixth positions on the points table when the round matches end on Thursday as the top four teams, Central Punjab, Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, Northern Punjab and Southern Punjab are all in the run to play the final.
Scores in brief:
Balochistan 471-9 declared, 150.2 overs (Imran Farhat 137, Akbar-ur-Rehman 122, Amad Butt 106, Asif Zakir 53; Mir Hamza 4-98, Sohail Khan 3-75)
Sindh 71-1, 27 overs (Khurram Manzoor 40 not out, Saud Shakeel 30 not out)
PCB-Pepsi National U16 three-day tournament, third round matches begins
PCB-Pepsi National U16 three-day tournament, third round matches begins
Abdullah Asjad
Islamabad,3December, 2019:Northern U16 v Balochistan U16, Shalimar Cricket Ground,IslamabadLeft-arm spinner Mohammad Hasnain’s five wickets helped Northern U16 dismiss Balochistan U16 for 129 runs in 47 overs on day-one of the PCB-Pepsi National U16 three-day match at the Shalimar Cricket Ground, Islamabad on Tuesday.
In reply, at stumps, Northern were 114 for three in 41 overs.
Khyber Pakhtunkhwa U16 v Sindh U16, Iqbal Stadium, Faisalabad
At Iqbal Stadium in Faisalabad, after opting to bat first Sindh were bowled out for 163 in 67.1 overs against Khyber Pakhtunkhwa U16 courtesy six wickets from left-arm spinner Mohammad Irfan.
In return, Khyber Pakhtunkhwa were 103 for two in 28 overs when stumps were drawn.
Scores in brief:
Northern U16 v Balochistan U16, Shalimar Cricket Ground, Islamabad
Balochistan 129 all out, 47 overs (Khalid Khan 35; Mohammad Hasnain 5-35)
Northern 114-3, 41 overs (Shamyl Hussain 69 not out)
Khyber Pakhtunkhwa U16 v Sindh U16, Iqbal Stadium, Faisalabad
Sindh 163 all out, 67.1 overs (Syed Taha Shah 36; Mohammad Irfan 6-32)
Khyber Pakhtunkhwa 103-2, 28 overs
Shehzad, debutant Shafiq put Central Punjab in command
Shehzad, debutant Shafiq put Central Punjab in command
Abdullah Asjad
Islamabad, December 2 ,2019:A thumping 179-run stand between captain Ahmed Shehzad and debutant Abdullah Shafiq has put Central Punjab in a formidable position, after an early loss, on the opening day of the last round of Quaid-e-Azam trophy encounter against Southern Punjab.
Central Punjab, elected to bat after winning the toss against Southern Punjab in the decisive fixture of the four-day first-class tournament at the State Bank stadium.
The table-topper, with 120 points, got an early blow when Zia-ul-Haq trapped Salman Butt (7) LBW on 24, however captain Ahmed Shehzad and Abdullah Shafiq shielded Central Punjab from the onslaught, scoring half century each before the lunch interval.
The duo continued their flow in the second session as well, however Ahmed Shehzad perished soon after stroking his 13th first-class century.
Rahat Ali came into his own in the 50th over to dismiss Ahmed Shehzad on 100 to end the 179-run stand between Ahmed and Abdullah for the second wicket. Ahmed's innings was stitched with 11 fours. Rahat, on the very next ball, sent Umar Akmal packing on a duck.
Abdullah Shafiq consolidated with Usman Salahuddin, scoring his maiden first-class century however got out on 133 off 209 deliveries with 16 fours and a six.
Experienced Kamran Akmal joined Usman Salahuddin at the twilight of the day to plug the wickets flow and escort Central Punjab to 334 for four when stumps were drawn.
Usman Salahuddin (53) and Kamran Akmal (30) have knitted an unbeaten 51-run stand before the end of the day to fetch three batting points for Central Punjab so far.
With four wickets in the bag, to date, Southern Punjab have also had three bowling points to their overall tally of 102.
Before the commencement of the tenth round, Central Punjab were on top of the table with an aggregate of 120, while Southern Punjab were on fourth pedestal with 102 points.
Scores in brief:
Central Punjab 339-4, 91 overs (Abdullah Shafiq 133, Ahmed Shehzad 100, Usman Salahuddin 53 not out; Rahat Ali 2-65, Zia-ul-Haq 1-82, Zulfiqar Babar 1-91) v Southern Punjab
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