Sports Bulletin

Sports Bulletin Report RAWALPINDI: The sixth round of the Quaid-e-Azam Trophy 2022-23 brought Balochistan their second win in the ongoing edition, thanks to Yasir Shah’s spellbinding display of leg-spin bowling which garnered him his fifth match haul of 10 wickets as title defenders Khyber Pakhtunkhwa crashed to a seven-wicket defeat. This was Khyber Pakhtunkhwa’s fourth defeat in six matches, meaning their hopes of winning the third title in a row are almost extinguished. They are at the bottom of the points table, as they have been for the majority of the season, and their other two contests have ended in draws. Fourth-ranked Balochistan, on the other hand, closed the gap with second-placed Sindh. Eleven points separate the two sides with Central Punjab, whose all six matches have ended in draws, placed third. Northern, meanwhile, after being rescued by Rohail Nazir’s superlative 149 are the only team to have gathered more than 100 points and are placed first with 101 points. In their match against Southern Punjab, Northern faced a real possibility of being forced to follow-on, but the former Pakistan U19 captain batted his team out of trouble. Southern Punjab, placed fifth, had three centurions in the match. While Umer Siddiq and Salman Ali Agha made centuries in the first innings, Usman Salahuddin scored tons in both innings. Their teammate Mohammad Abbas breached the 600-first-class-wicket mark during his first five-wicket haul in the tournament. Aamer Yamin displayed his all-round credentials for Central Punjab against Sindh, as he begun the match with a five-wicket haul and topped it up with four more scalps in the second, scoring a half-century in between. Sindh’s Saad Khan smashed his first century of the season, making 161. His teammate, Abrar Ahmed, continued to bamboozle the batters with his mystery spin. He took four wickets in the first innings and bowled 10 overs in the second, which lasted 37. In the seventh round, which commences Wednesday, Sindh stay at the Pindi Cricket Stadium to host Southern Punjab at the Pindi Cricket Stadium. The contest will be beamed through PCB’s YouTube channel. Balochistan travel to Abbottabad from Multan to play Northern. Khyber Pakhtunkhwa and Central Punjab lock horns at the LCCA Ground in Lahore. Top performers: Experienced Test batter Azhar Ali now has the most runs for the tournament with 580 at a handsome average of 96.67 and is followed by Khyber Pakhtunkhwa’s Sahibzada Farhan who is second on the list with 558 runs at 50.73 after his second-innings half-century against Balochistan. Southern Punjab’s Usman Salahuddin’s twin hundreds against Northern in Abbottabad has lifted him to third spot with 545 runs at an average of 60.56. The other two batters with more than 500 runs are Abdullah Shafique (537 at 67.13) and Hussain Talat (511 at 51.10). There are no points for guessing the bowler with most wickets in the tournament as Abrar Ahmed’s sensational run has him 10 wickets clear of the joint second best bowlers on the list. The 24-year-old Sindh bowler has now accumulated 32 wickets at 19.06 despite playing only four matches. He has two four-fers, one of them coming in the last match, and four five-wicket hauls. Central Punjab’s Mohammad Ali and Northern’s Mubasir Khan are locked on the second spot with 22 wickets each. Ali has recorded two five-fers, while Mubasir’s only five-wicket haul of the tournament came against Southern Punjab in the last round. Right-arm medium fast bowlers Mohammad Umar of Sindh and Ihsanullah of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa are fourth and fifth on the list with 18 and 17 scalps.

Sports Bulletin Report RAWALPINDI: With less than a month remaining to the start of the historic Test series between Pakistan and England, the Pakistan Cricket Board has announced ticket prices for the first Test, which will be played at the Pindi Cricket Stadium from 1-5 December. Ticket prices for the Imran Khan, Javed Akhtar, Javed Miandad and Azhar Mahmood Stands – the four VIP Enclosures – have been fixed at PKR500, while the Premier Enclosures, which include Shoaib Akhtar, Sohail Tanvir, Miran Bakhsh and Yasir Arafat Stands, have been fixed at Rs 250 each day. Tickets will be available online on Wednesday at 1000 PST at https://pcb.bookme.pk/ Payments can be made using Easypaisa/Jazzcash/credit card/Nift options. The Rawalpindi Test will be the first between the two sides in Pakistan since 2005, and their first-ever meeting at the Pindi Cricket Stadium in the traditional format, which has to date staged 12 Tests since December 1993. Since the revival of international cricket in 2019, Pakistan have played four Tests at this venue against Sri Lanka, Bangladesh, South Africa and Australia, winning two and drawing two. The Rawalpindi Test, as well as the Multan (9-13 December) and Karachi (17-21 December) matches will be part of the ICC World Test Championship and ticket prices for these two matches will be announced in due course. Pakistan are fifth on the table with a 4-3 record in four out of a maximum of six series (51.85%), while England are 7-8 in five series (38.6%). Australia and South Africa are occupying the top two positions with success percentages of 70 and 60, respectively. The Test series will be part of the second-leg of England tour. In September, England played seven Twenty20 Internationals in Karachi and Lahore, winning a closely and keenly contested series 4-3. England have already named a strong 15-player squad, which will be captained by Ben Stokes. Zakir Khan, Director International Cricket said: “We experienced an unprecedented 95 per cent crowd turnout when the two sides featured in the seven-match T20I series in Karachi and Lahore, which helped in showcasing Pakistan as a cricket-loving country. The same two sides will now participate in the format enjoyed by the purists. We have continued to value our fans by maintaining affordable prices. “For the passionate Rawalpindi and Islamabad cricket fans, it is a great opportunity to attend the match and be part of the historic Test between the two sides that enjoy massive following and fan-base. It is also a chance for the parents to bring their children so that they can watch modern-day stars in action and be attracted to cricket and eventually fall in love with this great sport.”

Bahawalpur, Lahore, Islamabad and Okara claim victories on the opening day Sports Bulletin Report Bahawalpur: Besides hosts Bahawalpur, Lahore, Islamabad and Okara have won their match on the opening day of the 13th National Bank of Pakistan T-20 Blind Cricket Trophy (Grade-1) at two different venues on Tuesday. Syed Sultan Shah, President World Blind Cricket Council (WBCC) and Chairman Pakistan Blind Cricket Council (PBCC), Ibadat Nisar Regional Police Officer (RPO) Bahawalpur inaugurated the event. Syed Salman Bokhari, Director Cricket Operations (PBCC) Mohammad Bilal (Director Marketing PBCC), Maqsood ul Hassan Divisional Sports Officer Bahawalpur were the other dignitaries present on the occasion. Bahawalpur beat Gujranwala by 2 wickets: The 1st match of the event was played between Bahawalpur and Gujranwala at the Dring Stadium Bahawalpur. Hosts won the toss and decided to bowl first. Gujranwala made 193 runs in allotted 20 overs for the loss of 7 wickets. Mohammad Akram made 46 runs and Sanwal Shahzada chipped in with 36 runs. Sajid Nawaz took 2 wickets while Mohammad Shahzaib and Babar Ali took a wicket a piece. In reply, Bahawalpur lost 4 early wickets but Mohammad Ayyaz’s superb innings of 54 runs off 27 balls kept their hopes alive. In the later half, Sajid Nawaz’s 30 runs off 14 balls helped Bahawalpur to reach the target in 18th over for the loss of 8 wickets. Mohammad Akram and Qasim Khalil took 2 wickets each. Result: Bahawalpur won by 2 wickets Man of the match: Sajid Nawaz Lahore beat Peshawar by six wickets Lahore won the toss and asked Peshawar to bat first. Peshawar made just 146 runs for the loss of 8 wickets in stipulated 20 overs. Mohammad Waseem was the top scorer with 36 runs while Naeem Ullah made 18 runs. Mohammad Safdar took 3 wickets for 18 runs in 3 overs, Matiullah and Rizwan claimed a wicket a piece. In reply, Lahore chased the target of 148 runs with ease in just 14.5 overs for the loss of 4 wickets. Mohammad Safdar made 59 runs and Matiullah scored 31 runs. Kazim Ullah and Naeem ullah were among the wickets. Result: Lahore won by 6 wickets Man of the Match: Mohammad Safdar Islamabad beat Attock by 33 runs: 3rd match of the day played between Attock and Islamabad. Attock won the toss and put Islamabad into bat first. Islamabad set the competitive target of 207 runs by losing their 3 wickets in the allotted 20 overs. Anees Javed Shined with the bat, he made unbeaten 95* runs off 60 balls and well supported by Ayoub Khan who scored 78 runs off 56 balls. In reply, Attock chasing 207 was able to score 173 runs in the allocated 20 overs for the loss of 6 wickets. Riasat Khan was their top scorer with 52 runs off 37 balls and Mohammad Raheel Shahzad made unbeaten 39* runs off 31 balls. Akmal Hayat took 2 wickets while Shahzaib Haider and Husnain fetched 1 wicket each for Islamabad. Result: Islamabad won by 33 runs. Man of the Match: Anees Javed Okara beat AJK by 8 wickets: Azad Jammu & Kashmir (AJK) won the toss and elected to bat first. AJK made 217 runs for the loss of 3 wickets in stipulated 20 overs. Faisal Mehmood was the leading scorer with 85 runs off 65 balls and Nisar Ali made unbeaten 55 runs off 32 balls. In reply, Okara achieved the target of 218 runs in 18.2 overs for the loss of 2 wickets. Badar Munir’s bat swung wildly and he scored brilliant 142 runs off 62 bslls while Iftikhar Hussain made unbeaten 53 runs off 46 balls. Nisar Ali took 2 wickets for AJK. Result: Okara won by 8 Wickets Man of the match: Babar Munir

Sports Bulletin Report Melbourne (AUS): The Event Technical Committee of the ICC Men’s T20 World Cup 2022 has approved Gulbadin Naib as a replacement for Hazratullah Zazai in the Afghanistan squad. Naib who is a travelling reserve was named as a replacement after Zazai was ruled out due to an abdominal muscle strain. The replacement of a player requires the approval of the Event Technical Committee before the replacement player can be officially added to the squad. The Event Technical Committee of the ICC Men’s T20 World Cup 2022 consists of Wasim Khan, ICC General Manager - Cricket (Chair); Chris Tetley, ICC Head of Events; Peter Roach, Cricket Australia, Shane Doyle, Men’s T20 World Cup Local Organising Committee; Shaun Pollock (Independent) and Ian Bishop (Independent).

Sports Bulletin Report RAWALPINDI: Yasir Shah’s fifth 10-wicket haul for the match handed Balochistan their second win of the Quaid-e-Azam Trophy 2022-23 as they defeated Khyber Pakhtunkhwa by seven wicket at the Multan Cricket Stadium on the fourth and final day of round six. The Test leg-spinner recorded his second five-wicket haul in the match by adding three more scalps to his tally on Sunday. He returned five for 115 as Khyber Pakhtunkhwa - after fighting 92 and 61 from Kamran Ghulam and Sahibzada Farhan - were bowled out for 324, setting 53-run target. In the first innings, Yasir had taken five wickets for 57. Balochistan overhauled the target in 4.2 overs as Haseebullah made 16-ball 23 and Abdul Wahid Bangalzai smashed two fours and a six in his unbeaten 12-ball 16. The other two contests in the round ended in draw. Wicketkeeper Rohail Nazir’s fascinating 149 helped Northern avoid a follow-on. Northern began the day with only one wicket in hand and had to score 33 more runs to avoid being asked to bat for the second time in the match. Rohail, yesterday, had scored this third first-class century and was unbeaten on 100. He added 49 to his score. Overall, he hit 23 fours and two sixes in his 297-ball innings and with his dismissal, Northern’s innings ended at the score of 388. Another Northern youngster outshone in the match as Mubasir Khan – the player of the tournament in the last edition of Quaid-e-Azam Trophy – picked up five wickets for 115 as Southern Punjab ended the day and match on 261 for seven. Mubasir now has joint second most wickets (22 with Mohammad Ali of Central Punjab) in the tournament and is the leading bowler for Northern. Usman Salahuddin made his second century of the match – his 26th overall – as he returned unbeaten on 100 off 154 (10 fours and a six), while Hasan Ali’s bat continued to smash boundaries. The Southern Punjab captain spanked 57 off 39 – in which he hit five sixes and four fours. He had smashed 38-ball 52 (again five sixes and four fours) in the first innings. Aamir Yamin topped up his first innings five-wicket haul with four for 73 as the contest between Central Punjab and Sindh at the Pindi Cricket Stadium also ended in a draw. Saad Khan converted his overnight 139 into 161 as Sindh were bowled out for 219 in 113.3 overs. Central Punjab batted for 37 overs in which they lost two wickets for 90. Abid Ali made 42 and Azhar Ali was unbeaten on 29. Scores in brief: Balochistan beat Khyber Pakhtunkhwa by seven wickets at the Multan Cricket Stadium Balochistan 487-7d, 142.3 overs (Hussain Talat 112, Haseebullah 100 not out, Asad Shafiq 88, Abdul Wahid Bangalzai 59, Haris Sohail 42, Imam-ul-Haq 33; Sajid Khan 3-155) and 53-3, 4.2 overs (Haseebullah 23, Abdul Wahid Bangalzai 16 not out; Ihsanullah 2-35) Khyber Pakhtunkhwa 215 all out, 64.1 overs (Sajid Khan 68, Sahibzada Farhan 62, Waqar Ahmed 24; Yasir Shah 5-54, Akif Javed 3-59) and 324 all out, 106.1 overs (Kamran Ghulam 92, Sahibzada Farhan 61, Mohammad Sarwar Afridi 43 not out, Waqar Ahmed 36, Rehan Afridi 36, Israrullah 31; Yasir Shah 5-105, Kashif Bhatti 3-59, Akif Javed 2-64) Match drawn between Northern and Southern Punjab at Abbottabad Cricket Stadium Southern Punjab 566-7d, 122 overs (Usman Salahuddin 126, Umar Siddiq 117, Salman Ali Agha 103 not out, Hasan Ali 53, Ali Usman 38 not out, Muhammad Imran 29; Kashif Ali 2-110, Athar Mehmood 2-158) and 261-7, 58.4 overs (Usman Salahuddin 100 not out, Hasan Ali 57, Muhammad Imran 43, Sharoon Siraj 32; Mubasir Khan 5-115, Kashif Ali 2-30) Northern 338 all out, 117 overs (Rohail Nazir 149, Mohammad Huraira 39, Nauman Ali 38, Aamir Jamal 28; Mohammad Abbas 5-85, Sameen Gul 3-56) Match drawn between Central Punjab and Sindh at the Pindi Cricket Stadium Sindh 188 all out, 56 overs (Saad Khan 29, Saim Ayub 26, Zahid Mehmood 24, Muhammad Umar 23, Sarfaraz Ahmed 22; Aamer Yamin 5-54) and 419 all out, 113.3 overs (Saad Khan 161, Fawad Alam 83, Faraz Ali 34, Sarfaraz Ahmed 33, Mir Hamza 24, Abrar Ahmed 20; Aamer Yamin 4-73, Qasim Akram 2-51, Ahmed Daniyal 2-88) Central Punjab 305 all out, 95.5 overs (Aamer Yamin 63, Ali Shan 55 not out, Azhar Ali 48, Qasim Akram 47, Abid Ali 44; Abrar Ahmed 4-82, Muhammad Umar 3-63, Mir Hamza 2-69) and 90-2, 37 overs (Abid Ali 42, Azhar Ali 29 not out)

Sports Bulletin Report LAHORE: The Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) today confirmed the match officials’ appointments for the six-match Pakistan-Bangladesh Under-19 series, comprising a four-dayer, three 45-over-per-side fixtures and two T20s. Umpires Rashid Riaz, Shozab Raza and Waleed Yaqub will share the on-field and reserve umpire duties, while Prof Mohammad Javed Malik, who is a member of PCB Elite Panel of Match Referees and International Panel of ICC Match Referees, will perform the refereeing duties for all the six matches. Meanwhile, the series, which was originally scheduled at the Iqbal Stadium in Faisalabad, has been now shifted to Multan Cricket Stadium in Multan. The games will take place on the dates announced earlier i.e. four-day match from 4 to 7 November, three one-days on 10, 12 and 14 November, while two T20s on 16 and 18 November. The change in the venue means three of the four Quaid-e-Azam Trophy matches, which were scheduled at the Multan Cricket Stadium from 2-23 November, have now been shifted to the LCCA Ground in Lahore. The venue for the match between Central Punjab and Balochistan from 14-17 November will be confirmed in due course. The three matches shifted from Multan Cricket Stadium to LCCA Ground, Lahore are: 2-5 November – Khyber Pakhtunkhwa v Central Punjab 8-11 November – Northern v Central Punjab 20-23 November – Sindh v Balochistan Umpire and match referee appointments: 4-7 November – Four-day match, Multan Cricket Stadium. Rashid Riaz and Shozab Raza (on-field), Waleed Yaqub (reserve umpire); Prof Mohammad Javed Malik (match referee) 10 November – First 45-over-per-side match, Multan Cricket Stadium. Rashid Riaz and Shozab Raza (on-field), Waleed Yaqub (reserve umpire); Prof Mohammad Javed Malik (match referee) 12 November – Second 45-over-per-side match, Multan Cricket Stadium. Rashid Riaz and Waleed Yaqub (on-field), Shozab Raza (reserve umpire); Prof Mohammad Javed Malik (match referee) 14 November – Third 45-over-per-side match, Multan Cricket Stadium. Shozab Raza and Waleed Yaqub (on-field), Rashid Riaz (reserve umpire); Prof Mohammad Javed Malik (match referee) 16 November – First T20 match, Multan Cricket Stadium. Rashid Riaz and Shozab Raza (on-field), Waleed Yaqub (reserve umpire); Prof Mohammad Javed Malik (match referee) 18 November – Second T20 match, Multan Cricket Stadium. Rashid Riaz and Shozab Raza (on-field), Waleed Yaqub (reserve umpire); Prof Mohammad Javed Malik (match referee)

Sports Bulletin Report Perth (AUS): Zimbabwe recorded only their second victory over Pakistan in 18 T20Is, first in a World Cup, when they won a crucial Group 2 Super-12 fixture in the ICC Men’s T20 World Cup 2022 by one-run here on Thursday. Needing 11 runs in the final over, Pakistan scored eight runs off the first three balls but managed only one in the next three balls to finish at 129 for eight in reply to Zimbabwe’s 130 for eight. The turning point in the last over was the dismissal of Mohammad Nawaz (22) on the penultimate ball when he was caught at mid-off off Brad Evans. Shaheen Shah Afridi was able to connect the last delivery of the innings, but his effort was not enough to secure two runs that were needed for a Super Over as he was run-out by a distance despite a fumble by wicketkeeper Regis Chakabva. The result has left Pakistan winless after two matches, while India and South Africa have four and three points, respectively from as many matches. This makes Pakistan’s passage to the semifinals extremely difficult as even wins against The Netherlands (30 October in Perth), South Africa (3 November in Sydney) and Bangladesh (6 November in Adelaide) will not absolutely guarantee them a place in the last four. India’s remaining matches are against South Africa (30 October), Bangladesh (2 November) and Zimbabwe (6 November), while South Africa, after their 30 October and 3 November matches against India and Pakistan, respectively will play their last match against The Netherlands on 6 November. Pakistan, in their pursuit of the 131 runs target and despite losing Babar Azam (4), Mohammad Rizwan (14), Iftikhar Ahmed (5), Shadab Khan (17), Haider Ali (0) and Shan Masood (44), needed 37 runs from 29 balls. Though they were able to score 18 runs through boundaries (3x4, 1x6), the remaining 25 balls yielded only 17 runs, which in the end made all the difference between winning and losing. Shan top-scored with a 38-ball 44 with three fours, while Nawaz’s 18-ball 22 included a four and a six. Mohammad Wasim finished with a 13-ball 12 not out with two fours. For Zimbabwe, Sikandar Raza picked up three wickets for 25 runs to walk away with the player of the match award. Brad Evans bagged two wickets for 25 runs. Earlier, Zimbabwe, electing to bat after winning the toss, were restricted to 130 for eight following a brisk 42-run first wicket stand in five overs. Haris Rauf accounted for Craig Ervine (19) and Mohammad Wasim dismissed Wessly Madhevere (17) as Zimbabwe slipped to 43 for two in the space of three balls before Pakistan picked up four wickets in six balls as Zimbabwe slipped from 95 for three to 95 for seven. At that stage, Ryan Burl (10 not out) and Brad Evans (19) put on 31 priceless runs for the eighth wicket to help Zimbabwe reach 130 for eight. Sean Williams was the batter who provided some resistance in the middle-order when he scored a 28-ball 31 before Shadab bowled him. For Pakistan, 21-year-old Wasim, who replaced Asif Ali in the playing eleven, produced his career-best figures of four for 24, while Shadab picked up three for 23. Scores in brief Match 24 – Zimbabwe beat Pakistan by one-run Zimbabwe 130-8, 20 overs (Sean Williams 31, Mohammad Wasim 4-24, Shadab Khan 3-23) Pakistan 129-8, 20 overs (Shan Masood 44, Mohammad Nawaz 22, Shadab Khan 17, Mohammad Rizwan 14, Mohammad Wasim 12 not out; Sikandar Raza 3-25, Brad Evans 2-25) Pakistan’s next match – vs The Netherlands, Sunday, 30 October (12pm PKT)

BIPIN DANI Sri Lanka's present women's Head Coach Hashan Tillakaratne is all set to resign from his existing post and will take up the new assignment with the Bangladesh Cricket Board (BCB). This was confirmed by Shafiul Alam Chowdhry (Nadel), the chairman of the women's wing of the BCB. Speaking exclusively over the telephone from Dhaka on Wednesday evening, he said, "yes,we have hired his services as a head coach for our women's cricket team. He has been sounded to take up this job on a two-year contract". "We hope to welcome him in the first week of November. His first assignment will be against the New Zealand team. Our women's team will be leaving for New Zealand to play the first bilateral series. This will be the first series of the new FTP (Future Tour Program)", he added. Incidentally, the 55-year-old former wicket-keeper and batter will be the third Sri Lankan for the coaching role with the Bangladesh team. Former off-spinner Rangana Herath is the spin bowling coach for the men's team and is with the men's team in Australia for the World Cup. Former fast bowler Champaka Ramanayake (now holidaying in Sri Lanka) is attached with the High performance Centre (HPC) in Bangladesh.

BIPIN DANI Sri Lanka's 24-year-old Mechanical Engineering student Miyulika Weeramanthree is proud to be the winner of designing the LPL (Lanka Premier League) logo. "It was an open invitation for this competition and with the support of my parents and friends I participated and won the One Thousand Dollars prize-money", he said over the telephone from Kandy. "I am really proud to be able to create the logo for the international-brand cricket league to be played in my country. I am very happy and proud that my choice of the design was approved". It took about two weeks for Miyulika Weeramanthree to give final touch to his design. "Actually, it took a long time to formulate the concept. I first started with pencil sketches. Erased few, corrected few and then this final design was reached. I added different colors. It was quite a difficult task", he added. This was Miyulika's first design work on a cricket-related theme. He is an experienced logo and brand identity designer and in this profession for the last four years.  He has managed more than 1000 international projects individually and with colleagues on freelance platforms. Incidentally, the logo designer is a cricket-fan. "I enjoy watching the Sri Lankan team and don't miss a single match played in Kandy. I have been watching World Cup matches on TV. He will also be at the stadium for the LPL matches this season".  "I am very happy to be able to do something that will be remembered in the history of Sri Lanka cricket. Special thanks to the SLC and the LPL organising committee and the IPG group for providing this opportunity", he signed off.

Sports Bulletin Report RAWALPINDI: At the halfway stage of the Quaid-e-Azam Trophy 2022-23, Sindh, who sit at the second spot with 74 points from five matches, have their eyes set on what would be their first final since the introduction of a better and more competitive domestic cricket structure in 2019. On Monday, they recorded their second win on the bounce as they rolled over Balochistan in a commanding 10-wicket win, thanks to outstanding spells from fast bowler Ghulam Mudassar and mystery spinner Abrar Ahmed – the two registered five-wicket hauls in the first and second innings respectively. That Abrar – who stretched his blistering form to the third match with his fourth five-fer in six innings – had runs on the board to play with was because of his captain. Sindh were struggling at 61 for three in reply of Balochistan’s 269 and seemed on course for a below-par score, before Saud Shakeel pushed back the opposition with a defiant century that eventually put his side 121 runs ahead and paved way for a comfortable chase of 70 on the final day. Sindh made 390 and Saud scored almost 50 per cent of those runs on his way to his career-best first-class score of 187 not out. This was his second successive hundred while he scored the first of his three tons this season against Northern in Faisalabad three weeks back with a gritty 158. The left-hander had scored 13 centuries before this game in his brief 53-match first-class career, but what turned this innings into one of his best works was how he anchored his team back into the match. Saud soaks pressure amidst collapses and he is the only batter in the ongoing edition of the Quaid-e-Azam Trophy to have faced more than a thousand balls (1,077 to be precise). Realising the need to wear out the opposition as he rebuild the innings, Saud batted for 387 balls, stitching partnerships worth 99 with Fawad Alam (51), 107 with Muhammad Umar (44) and 70 with Ghulam. The latter half of his magnificent innings stands out the most as he added 186 runs with the tail (batters from nine till 11) that lay an emphasis on how he can command an innings despite lack of support from the other end, something integral for middle-order batters. “The key is to stick with the process and have faith,” said Saud, 27, after his side’s victory yesterday. “I follow a set process and have belief in my hard work. Rather than focusing on the uncontrollable, I focus on my process and that is reaping rewards.” He is the best batter amongst non-Test players this edition with 486 runs at an average of almost 70. Overall, he is third on the list of the batters with most runs behind Central Punjab’s duo of Abdullah Shafique (531) and Azhar Ali (503). He is one of the three players – Azhar and Tayyab Tahir being the other two – to have smashed three centuries this season. Being a part of the national squad over the past few seasons has provided him access to plethora of batting knowledge with Mohammad Yousuf as the batting coach of the men’s side and over the national side’s assignments, Saud has made sure he makes the most of it. “There’s always room for fine-tuning and the presence of Mohammad Yousuf has helped me in that regard. He is one of the greatest batters this country has ever produced and he provides me guidelines on how I can continue to excel as a batter.” Saud made his first-class debut for Karachi Region Whites in October 2015 and is an ardent proponent of the format. When asked to reflect on the impact of longer-format on his career, Saud spoke how it provides a 360-degree evolution to a cricketer. “First-class cricket has played an integral role in my development as a cricketer and I believe every youngster should play first-class cricket,” he said. “This format tests you. You are challenged every day – physically and mentally every session. My suggestion to every youngster is to attach the same level of importance with first-class cricket that you attach with T20.   Sindh missed out securing a berth in the final of the previous Quaid-e-Azam Trophy edition by seven points to Khyber Pakhtunkhwa. This edition,  they have defeated Khyber Pakhtunkhwa and have emerged as one of the contenders to play the final as their brilliant run in the 2022-23 season continues that started by bagging the National T20. Saud credits his bowling unit for his side’s strong showing. “This bowling attack is making my life easy as a captain,” he said. “The most important bit in winning a first-class match is the ability to take all 20 opposition wickets and that is something which we had been lacking in the last seasons. This year, I have a solid bowling line-up. “Abrar Ahmed has been good in the three matches he has played and he is the leading wicket-taker. Mir Hamza is also amongst the top wicket-takers. Ghulam Mudassar, playing his first [second] game, chipped in. Muhammad Umar continues to improve day by day and Asif is providing us breakthroughs at crucial moments.” While his bowlers have stepped up this season, Sindh will continue to look at their captain to deliver with the bat at crunch situations as he did in Rawalpindi over the weekend as they aim for a maiden Quaid-e-Azam Trophy final under the competitive six-team structure.