Sports Bulletin

Quaid-e-Azam Trophy ninth round begins on Monday  SB News ISLAMABAD (November 23, 2019): As the battle to secure the top two spots on the points table continues to flare up, the ninth round of the four-day first-class Quaid-e-Azam Trophy, which commences on Monday, 25 November, promises to keep the fans on the edge of their seats. Khyber Pakhtunkhwa’s big win by an innings and 122 runs over Balochistan has helped them leapfrog Southern Punjab and Northern to the second spot and another win in either of their next two matches will go a long way in guaranteeing them a berth in the final of the country’s premier first-class tournament. They, however, have a challenging task at their hands as they face table-toppers Central Punjab, who have three wins in eight matches, at NBP Sports Complex, Karachi. Central Punjab enter the match after securing a draw against Sindh on the back of second innings centuries by the Akmal brothers. They were behind Sindh for the most part of the match as their star-studded batting line-up failed to live up to the expectations in the first innings. But, gutsy 122 and 166 by Umar and Kamran in the second innings ensured Central Punjab’s impeccable record stayed intact. Uplifted by their maiden win of the tournament, Khyber Pakhtunkhwa will try to take a leaf out of Sindh’s book and look to strangle Central Punjab’s batting upfront. That it was their bowling unit which delivered the win is something which will further add to the excitement when the two top-ranked teams go toe-to-toe. Central Punjab captain Ahmed Shehzad said: “We are going to make sure that we don’t repeat the mistakes we made in the last game. Yes, there were hiccups, but we are learning every game and improving day-by-day. “Our players are responding brilliantly under pressure. The beauty of first-class cricket is it provides you sessions to bounce back in the match. Sindh were ahead of us for two-and-a-half days after which we came back strongly with both bat and ball. “We are at the backend of the first-class season now and we have been playing for two-three months so it is not about doing nets anymore. We want our players to be mentally relaxed and strong when we play Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, who have recently started to pick up form.” Khyber Pakhtunkhwa head coach Kabir Khan said: “Khyber Pakhtunkhwa has had a decent run in the season. Our batsmen and bowlers were delivering and we often found ourselves in control of the matches, but we weren’t able to translate that into win. “However, we were the only side that drew all their games and we knew that a win in the latter stage of the tournament will provide us a boost. Central Punjab have been going well but that we have secured a comprehensive victory before our match against them has given us confidence as a unit. “This year’s Quaid-e-Azam Trophy has been very competitive and the two top teams on the points table playing at this stage of the tournament is going to add to the excitement for our next fixture.” Southern Punjab v Sindh, National Stadium, Karachi Sindh, placed fifth on the points table, need a win to stay alive in the tournament. But, that they are facing a side to whom they have lost previously is bound to add to the pressure in a match which will be live-streamed on the PCB’s YouTube channel. Sindh made an impressive comeback, putting up performances in both batting and bowling departments, in the last round after their loss to Northern, who then were languishing at the bottom of the points table. Four of their batsmen scored half-centuries, including captain Sarfaraz Ahmed, with the bowling unit, spearheaded by Tabish Khan, tightening the screws around the Central Punjab batsmen. They will look to build on their performance in the last match against third-ranked Southern Punjab, who succeeded in securing a draw against Northern after being forced to follow-on thanks to Umar Siddiq’s brilliant second innings century, which was supported by half-centuries from Zeeshan Ashraf and Sohaib Maqsood. So, along with working out the strategy to ensure the highest run-getter of the tournament, Sami Aslam, is not allowed the time to adjust, Sarfaraz will also have to draw plans for Umar, Zeeshan and Sohaib. Sindh captain Sarfaraz Ahmed said: “We realise that they have a strong batting line-up and Sami Aslam is in good form. We aim to get their wickets early on which will help us in keeping the flow of runs in check. “It is obviously important for us to win from here to stay alive in the tournament. We have had close games but haven’t been able to cross the line. We are getting closer, but our target remains to win the next two matches.” Southern Punjab captain Bilawal Bhatti said: “We have an upper hand over Sindh as we have beaten them by a big margin [an innings and 129 runs] when the last time we came face to face. “Our batsmen are in prime form which is a good omen. Sami Aslam is having a wonderful season. Unfortunately he couldn’t get going in the last match. But, it is heartening to see other batsmen around him like Zeeshan Ashraf, who has graduated from Second XI, and Umar Siddiq, who couldn’t get a good start to the season, are among the runs now. “If a side’s top three or four batsmen start putting up runs consistently it makes life easy for the bowlers. Our spinners have been doing well, with Left-arm-spinner Mohammad Irfan taking wickets almost every match. Pitches in Karachi are useful for the spinners, but the sea-breeze provides assistance to the pacers as well in the last session of the day. “It is going to be an exciting match and we are looking forward to it.” Balochistan v Northern, UBL Sports Complex, Karachi Northern followed up their maiden win of the season in the seventh round with an imposing performance against Southern Punjab at KRL Stadium, Rawalpindi. Their batting line-up scored 463 runs at an impressive run-rate of 4.22 and their bowlers, by taking 14 wickets, tightened the screws to enforce a follow-on. They play Balochistan, who are at the bottom of the points table after a crushing defeat, and will look to make the most of the pressure on the Imran Farhat-led side. Like Sindh, Balochistan have to win their last two matches to stay in contention. There was, however, a silver lining for Balochistan from the previous match as Mohammad Asghar recorded six for 121 – fifth best bowling figures in an innings this tournament – as he continues to impress at the first-class level. His captain will be pinning hopes on him to deliver come Monday. Balochistan captain Imran Farhat said: “We have had a good run with the bat and it was the first time in the tournament that our batting collapsed. Though our batsmen have delivered, it is our bowling which has not really clicked as a unit, which is pertinent to win first-class matches.“The next two games are important for us and we awill go in those games with the mindset of winning them.” Northern captain Nauman Ali said: “We realise another win here will consolidate our position on the points table. For this very purpose, we have travelled to Karachi two days earlier to get acclimatised to the conditions. “We desperately needed a win when we entered the seventh round and that match against Sindh has gelled us as a unit. Unfortunately, due to bad light in Rawalpindi, we lost overs and it rained on the final day because of which couldn’t win despite enforcing follow-on.“But, the mood in the camp is great and we are looking forward to our next match.” Pre-match press conferences at National Stadium, Karachi On Sunday, a squad member from each of the six teams will hold pre-match press conferences in the press conference area on the third floor of the National Stadium, Karachi, from 11am onwards. Upcoming fixtures (25-28 Nov) Balochistan v Northern, UBL Sports Complex, Karachi Southern Punjab v Sindh, National Stadium, Karachi Central Punjab v Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, NBP Sports Complex, Karachi

Rohail’s century earns Pakistan ACC Emerging Teams Asia Cup 2019 trophy Abdullah Asjad ISLAMABAD:-Rohail Nazir’s sparkling century helped Pakistan beat Bangladesh by 77 runs in the final of the ACC Emerging Teams Asia Cup 2019 at the Sher-e-Bangla National Stadium in Mirpur on Saturday. According to available information from Mirpur, Bangladesh, after being put into bat, the openers Omair Bin Yousuf (4 off 15 balls) and Haider (26 off 23 balls) fell early leaving Pakistan 41 for two in the eighth over. After the departure of the opening pair, Imran Rafiq and Rohail Nazir got together and contributed a 117-run partnership for the third wicket. Imran’s 62 off 88 balls included four fours and two sixes. Rohail was top scorer with a 111-ball 113, laced with 12 fours and three sixes. Saud Shakeel played a captain’s innings and contributed a quick-fire 42 off 40 balls to help his side reach 301 for six in 50 overs. For Bangladesh, Sumon Khan picked three wickets for 75 runs, while Hasan Mahmud grabbed two wickets. Chasing 302, Bangladesh were never in the hunt and were bundled out for 224 in 43.3 overs. Afif Hossain coming to bat at number five, top-scored with a 53-ball 49, hitting four fours and a six. The home team captain Nazmul Hossain’s innings of 46 off 53 balls, and Mahedi Hasan's 42 off 45 balls went in vain. For Pakistan, Mohammad Hasnain took three wickets for 32 runs in 8.3 overs. Khushdil Shah and Saif Badar chipped in with two wickets apiece for 39 and 27 runs, respectively. Wicket-Keeper batsman Rohail Nazir for his century was named the player of the final. Scores in brief: Pakistan v Bangladesh, Final, Sher-e-Bangla National Stadium, Mirpur Pakistan 301-6, 50 overs (Rohail Nazir 113, Imran Rafiq 62, Saud Shakeel42; Sumon Khan 3-75, Hasan Mahmud 2-52) Bangladesh 224 all out, 43.3 overs (Afif Hossain 49, Nazmul Hossain 46, Mahedi Hasan 42; Mohammad Hasnain 3-32, Khushdil Shah 2-39, Saif Badar 2-27) Result: Pakistan won by 77 runs Player of the match: Rohail Nazir (Pakistan)

28 U19 cricketers invited for a six-week High Performance Skill and Training Programme at NCA  SB News Lahore (November 22, 2019):-Twenty-eight U19 cricketers have been invited for a six-week High Performance Skill and Training Programme at the National Cricket Academy (NCA), Lahore.  The programme, which commences from Monday, 25 November, is designed to enhance the fitness and cricketing skills of the players ahead of the next year’s ICC U19 Cricket World Cup in South Africa. The 28 players are selected by the junior selection committee, which is headed by Saleem Jaffer. Players born on or after 1 September 2000 are eligible for participation. The players who are busy in international/domestic matches will join the camp later. Names of players: Abdul Wahid Bangalzai (Balochistan), Abu Huraira (Balochistan), Akhtar Shah (Balochistan), Amir Ali (Sindh), Amir Khan (Khyber Pakhtunkhwa), Ammad Butt Jr. (Central Punjab), Arish Ali Khan (Sindh), Haider Ali (Northern), Haris Javed Khan (Southern Punjab), Haseeb Ullah (Balochistan), Jahanzeb Sultan (Sindh), Mohammad Abbas Afridi (Khyber Pakhtunkhwa), Mohammad Haris (Khyber Pakhtunkhwa), Mohammad Huraira Malik (Central Punjab), Mohammad Irfan Khan (Central Punjab), Mohammad Junaid (Balochistan), Mubashir Khan (Northern), Muhammad Aamir Khan (Khyber Pakhtunkhwa), Muhammad Basit (Southern Punjab), Muhammad Makki (Sindh), Muhammad Shehzad (Southern Punjab), Muhammad Taha (Sindh), Muhammad Waseem Jr. (Khyber Pakhtunkhwa), Naseem Shah (Central Punjab), Qasim Akram (Central Punjab), Rohail Nazir (Northern), Saim Ayub (Sindh) and Shiraz Khan (Northern)

56th BoG meeting in Lahore on Friday  SB News LAHORE:-The 56th meeting of the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) Board of Governors will be held on Friday, 22 November, at 3pm at the National Cricket Academy in Lahore.  Some of the matters that will be discussed are:  i)                    Chairman and CEO’s reports ii)                  Model constitution for Cricket Associations iii)                Creation and Demarcation of the first City Cricket Associations iv)                Approval of constitution for the Pakistan Deaf Cricket Association v)                  Updates on PCB Strategic Plan, Bugti Stadium, Pakistan v Sri Lanka Test series and HBL Pakistan Super League 2020

Sana Mir takes break from international cricket  Abdullah Asjad ISLAMABAD (November 20, 2019):-Sana Mir will miss next month’s ICC Women’s Championship ODIs and T20Is against England after deciding to take a break from international cricket.  In a statement, Sana Mir said: “I have decided to take a break from international cricket and, as such, will not be available for selection for next month’s series against England. I will utilise this time to plan and reset my future objectives and targets.  “My best wishes will remain with the Pakistan national women’s team in the series against England and I am sure they’ll produce their best cricket.” The 20-probable training camp for the ODIs and T20I series will commence at the Hanif Mohammad High Performance Centre in Karachi from 21 November, while the squads will be announced on 27 November.  The team will depart for Kuala Lumpur on November 30.  ICC Women’s Championship (seventh round schedule):  9 Dec – First ODI (ICC Women’s Championship), Kinrara Oval  12 Dec – Second ODI (ICC Women’s Championship), Kinrara Oval  14 Dec – Third ODI (ICC Women’s Championship), Kinrara Oval  17 Dec – First T20I, Kinrara Oval  19 Dec – Second T20I, Kinrara Oval  20 Dec – Third T20I, Kinrara Oval

Southern Punjab 149 for two in reply of Northern’s 463 for seven  Abdullah Asjad ISLAMABAD:-Batsmen continued to dominate on the second day of the four-day first-class Quaid-e-Azam Trophy fixture between Northern and Southern Punjab at Rawalpindi’s KRL Stadium.  Hammad Azam’s sixth first-class century propelled Northern to 463 for seven, scored at an impressive run-rate of 4.22, and, in their reply, the tourists made 149 runs for the loss of two wickets at the back of half-centuries from Umar Siddiq and Zeeshan Ashraf.  Hammad scored an unbeaten 100 after resuming his innings on 48. The all-rounder crafted a 109-run stand for the sixth-wicket with his overnight partner Jamal Anwar, who made 44 from 106 balls. The 28-year-old cracked six fours and two sixes in his 154-ball stay at the crease and also knitted a 66-run partnership with his side’s captain, Nauman Ali (37). The Northern declared their innings with the fall of Nauman’s wicket.  With the scores of 90 and 73 on day one, Umar Amin and Ali Sarfraz had provided impetus to Northern to target an imposing first innings score. Northern bagged five batting points – the maximum – while Southern Punjab managed two points for taking seven wickets. Left-arm spinner Mohammad Irfan returned his second five-wicket haul of the tournament taking five wickets for 158 runs in 38.4 overs.  Southern Punjab, in reply, lost Sami Aslam (nine), top run-getter of the season, early but Umar and Zeeshan stitched a timely 116-run stand until the latter perished for a 101-ball 57 – which was studded with nine boundaries. Opener Umar, who has to date scored 58 from 121 balls and has hit six fours, and Irfan (15) were at the crease when curtains were drawn on the second day’s play. For Northern, Waqas Ahmed and Shadab Khan took a wicket each.  Scores in Brief:  Northern 463-7d, 109.4 overs (Hammad Azam 100 not out, Umar Amin 90, Ali Sarfaraz 73; Mohammad Irfan 5-158)  Southern Punjab 149-2, 42 overs (Umar Siddiq 58 not out, Zeeshan Ashraf 57)  ………………………………………………………………………………. Tabish takes five to give Sindh advantage over Central Punjab SB News KARACHI (November, 19 2019):-Pacer Tabish Khan took a five-wicket haul while Khurram Manzoor and Jahid Ali scored half centuries to give Sindh the upper hand against leaders Central Punjab on day two of the four-day eight round Quaid-e-Azam Trophy first-class match being played at the National Stadium in Karachi on Tuesday.  Sindh enjoyed a slender nine runs lead on the first innings after they ended the day on 255 for four with Fawad Alam (42) and Sarfaraz Ahmed (39) having put on 65 for the unbeaten fifth wicket partnership. Earlier Tabish took five wickets for 85 to help bowl out Central Punjab for 246 in the morning session. It was Tabish’s 37th five wicket haul in a first-class career of 126 matches and 565 wickets. Punjab had resumed on 216 for seven with Usman Salahuddin on exactly 50 but at the total of 234, Tabish trapped him leg before for 57 from 155 balls, Sohail Khan then dismissed the other overnight batsman, Ehsan Adil for 23 runs. Tabish also picked up the wicket of Waqas Maqsood to end the visitors innings.  Sindh collected full three bowling points for bowling Central Punjab out inside 110 overs, while Central Punjab had to settle for one batting point. Sindh winless in the tournament were given a solid start by openers Khurram (85 from 118 balls) and Jahid (72 from 175 balls) who put on 140 runs.  Khurram in particular after a cautious opened up to play some big shots against the pace bowlers and spinners, Zafar Gohar and off-spinner Bilal Asif who finished with three for 64. But his eagerness to get boundaries also led to Khurram’s downfall when he holed out to long on to give Bilal his first wicket, the right-hander smashed 11 fours and one six. Bilal also bowled Shehzar Mohammad for two to rock the home side and his third victim was Jahid who went after a patient knock bowled by a straight one.  Seasoned pacer, Aizaz Cheema was the only Central Punjab pacer to enjoy success when he had Saad Ali caught behind by Kamran Akmal for seven. The experienced duo of Fawad and captain, Sarfaraz took control in the final session for a productive partnership with the latter hitting five fours in his unbeaten 52 balls innings.  Scores in brief:  Central Punjab 246 all out, 94.3 overs (Kamran Akmal 59, Usman Salahuddin 57, Ahmed Shehzad 48; Tabish Khan 5-85, Anwar Ali 2-27, Sohail Khan 2-51)  Sindh 255 for 4, 72.3 overs  (Khurram Manzoor 85, Jahid Ali 72, Fawad Alam 42 not out; Bilal Asif 3-64

Follow-on on cards after Junaid Khan, Usman Shinwari orchestrate Balochistan collapse SB News  KARACHI (November 19, 2019):-Khyber Pakhtunkhwa’s Junaid Khan and Usman Shinwari shared seven wickets between them as Balochistan were skittled out for 146 on day two of the four-day first-class Quaid-e-Azam Trophy match at UBL Sports Complex, Karachi.  The left-arm pacers, operating in tandem, had Balochistan reeling at 19 for four in reply of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa’s 385 all-out. Junaid took four wickets for 36 while Usman picked up three wickets for the same amount of runs. The pair only faced resistance from Hussain Talat (25) and Bismillah Khan (35) as they stitched a 62-run partnership for the sixth-wicket.  Ahmed Jamal and Khyber Pakhtunkhwa captain Fakhar Zaman were the other bowlers to have checked their wickets’ column with a wicket each. As the day concluded with the last wicket of Balochistan, Khyber Pakhtunkhwa will take a call on enforcing the follow-on on Wednesday morning. If Fakhar decides to put Balochistan in, the Imran Farhat-led side would be confronted with an arduous task of surmounting 239-run first innings deficit.  Earlier, Zohaib Khan cracked his second century of the tournament and Usman recorded his second first-class half-century. After resuming his innings on 76, the all-rounder smashed 16 fours in his 133 off 232 balls. Usman, batting at 10, hit four sixes and three fours in his 136-ball 51. Mohammad Asghar picked another wicket on day two to record the figures of six for 121.  Khyber Pakhtunkhwa ended the day with seven points in their account – four for batting and three for bowling – while Balochistan bagged only two points as they had taken eight opposition wickets by 110-over cut-off and failed to cross the 200-run mark, the minimum benchmark to get batting points, in their innings.  Scores in brief:  Khyber Pakhtunkhwa 385 all-out, 114.3 overs (Zohaib Khan 133, Ashfaq Ahmed 54, Usman Shinwari 51; Mohammad Asghar 6-121)  Balochistan 146 all-out, 51 overs (Bismillah Khan 35, Hussain Talat 25, Khurram Shehzad 22; Junaid Khan 4-36, Usman Shinwari 3-36)

 Sindh restrict Central Punjab to 216 for seven on day one SB Report Karachi, 18 November 2019: Usman Salahuddin and Kamran Akmal produced fighting half centuries to lift Central Punjab to 216 for seven on day-one of the four-day eight round Quaid-e-Azam Trophy first-class match at the National Stadium in Karachi on Monday. Kamran continuing his good form in the tournament reached his 13,000 runs in first-class cricket during a punchy innings of 59 from 70 balls and Usman stood firm with 50 from 130 balls at stumps. The umpires called off play due to bad light with seven overs remaining in the day. Kamran and Usman came together with their team struggling on 89 for four and forged a partnership of 92 runs to ensure Central Punjab were not bowled out on the first day after electing to bat first. On a pitch with a tinge of grass cover and offering some assistance to the pace bowlers, Central Punjab decided to field spinners Zafar Gohar and Bilal Asif while Sindh went in with four pacers and a lone spinner in southpaw teenager, Amir Ali. Sindh pacers were on song most of the time as Sohail Khan struck early on by trapping Salman Butt leg before for one to rock the visitors but Ahmed Shehzad (48 from 127 balls with seven fours) and Muhammad Saad (31 from 93 balls) ensured no more wickets fell till lunch. It was in the post lunch session that Sindh struck three blows with youngster, having Saad caught Umar Akmal fell to Tabish Khan for eight while Anwar Ali who bowled economically throughout the day had Ahmed caught at point. With three wickets falling after lunch, Central Punjab were in trouble but Kamran strode to the crease and produced some spanking shots hitting ten fours before he edged a wide ball from Tabish to Sarfaraz shortly after tea. Zafar Gohar also went caught behind off Anwar Ali as Sarfaraz took a fine diving low catch to his left side. Sindh also snared Bilal Asif for one with Khurram Manzoor taking a smart catch at first slip but Ehsan Adil (9 from 16 balls) proved to be an able ally to Usman as the two batted till stumps. Scores in brief: Central Punjab 216 for 7, 83 overs (Kamran Akmal 59, Usman Sallahuddin 50 not out, Ahmed Shehzad 48; Tabish Khan 3-66, Anwar Ali 2-27)

Mohammad Asghar records his eighth first-class five-wicket haul SB Report Lahore, 18 November 2019: Balochistan’s Mohammad Asghar recorded his second five-wicket haul of the tournament on the first day of his side’s four-day first-class Quaid-e-Azam Trophy match against Khyber Pakhtunkhwa at UBL Sports Complex in Karachi. The 20-year-old left-arm spinner removed four of the opposition’s top five batsmen and returned five for 90 in 30 overs as Khyber Pakhtunkhwa managed 290 runs for the loss of eight wickets before stumps were drawn six overs earlier due to fading light. Khyber Pakhtunkhwa’s Ashfaq Ahmed, the second highest run-getter in the tournament, and Zohaib Khan put resistance with 54 and 76 not out respectively. An 86-run partnership for the second-wicket between Israrullah and Ashfaq gave Khyber Pakhtunkhwa control of the proceedings after Sahibzada Farhan (nine) was removed by pacer Khurram Shehzad with only 16 runs on board. But, Asghar changed the course of the innings in the afternoon session as Khyber Pakhtunkhwa slipped to 206 for six from 106 for two. Zohaib crafted a solid half-century to rescue his side from a collapse. The all-rounder, to date, has scored 76 runs from 137 balls, which include eight fours. He was joined by Usman Shinwari (20) when the first day’s play came to an end. Asghar, after returning his eighth first-class five-fer, now sits at the third spot on the list of the bowlers with the highest wickets in the tournament. He has 24 scalps at 30.04 runs apiece. Balochistan will be eyeing Zohaib’s wicket when the second day’s play commences as getting Khyber Pakhtunkhwa’s nine or more wickets inside 110 overs will garner them maximum bowling points (3). Scores in brief:  Khyber Pakhtunkhwa 290-8, 84 overs (Zohaib Khan 76 not out, Ashfaq Ahmed 54, Israrullah 42, Sajid Khan 29; Mohammad Asghar 5-90, Khurram Shehzad 2-64) vBalochistan

Quaid-e-Azam Trophy eighth round starts on Monday  By Abdul Jabbar Faisal ISLAMABAD (November 17, 2019):-As the Quaid-e-Azam Trophy enters its last three rounds, the competition to secure berths in the final of the country’s premier first-class tournament keeps on getting intense. The eighth round, which begins on Monday, 18 November, promises to generate more excitement in what has been a riveting tournament so far.  Northern return to Rawalpindi to host second-ranked Southern Punjab, who are 11 points ahead of them, at the KRL Stadium. The two teams played out a draw the last time they came face-to-face in the tournament. But, with the competition getting fierce with every round, both sides, this time, will enter the competition with guns blazing.  With 15 points on offer for the winning side, a victory for Northern (placed fourth with 71 points) will see them leapfrog the opposition. Northern turned heads with a surprise maiden win against Sindh, at Karachi’s National Stadium, which has established them as strong contenders to be one of the two finalists.  For the most part of the season, Northern, the only side to have lost two matches in the tournament before the beginning of the seventh round, languished at the bottom of the points table and were almost out of the tournament. But, traveling to the metropolis brought a much-needed change in their fortunes.  An incredible double-century by Faizan Riaz helped his side post an imposing 408 all-out from 14 for three after which Northern captain Nauman Ali, the highest wicket-taker in the tournament with 36 wickets, spun a web with five for 58 and four for 51  in his side’s 145 runs victory over the hosts.  Southern Punjab will pin hopes on Sami Aslam, the leading run-getter of the tournament with 833 runs at an average of 138.83. The left-handed opener cracked a century in his side’s last round fixture against Khyber Pakhtunkhwa at Abbottabad Cricket Stadium and has four scores of 100 and above – which include an unbeaten 243 – in the tournament, to date.  Sindh v Central Punjab  Sindh, now at the bottom with 58 points, must have gone back to the drawing board and chalked out strategies as they take on table-toppers Central Punjab, who are 50 points ahead, in a contest which will be live-streamed at the PCB’s YouTube Channel.  The Quaid-e-Azam Trophy experienced arguably the most-ferocious battle when the two sides met in Faisalabad in the fifth-round. Sindh edged out in securing a draw in a high-intensity competition, marked by gutsy performances in all facets from both sides. Sarfaraz Ahmed, the Sindh captain, will bank on Fawad Alam, the only batsman from his side to score two centuries this season, and pacers like Tabish Khan, leading wicket-taker for Sindh with 17 wickets, Mir Hamza and Sohail Khan. Early call-offs due to bad light on all four days in their last match against Balochistan at Gaddafi Stadium, Lahore, meant Central Punjab were in the field for only 217.2 overs. Their batsmen and bowlers, however, made put some notable performances. Forty-year-old pacer Aizaz Cheema, upgraded to the first XI side after impressing in the non first-class Quaid-e-Azam Trophy tournament, returned a five-fer and Usman Salahuddin and Umar Akmal cracked 94 and 78. Regardless of the two teams standing on the extreme ends of the points table, fans will witness an exciting competition with tensions expected to be high when the rivals meet at the National Stadium. Khyber Pakhtunkhwa v Balochistan  Karachi will be host to another first-class Quaid-e-Azam Trophy fixture between Khyber Pakhtunkhwa and Balochistan. This match was shifted out of Abbottabad due to unexpected weather conditions, which hampered the matches from going full distance.  Balochistan’s Imran Butt has been in sublime form of-late. The 23-year-old racked up his second century of the tournament at the Gaddafi Stadium and is the third-highest run-getter this season with 673 runs at an average of 67.30. He has also cracked three half-centuries.  His teammate Mohammad Asghar, left-arm spinner, sits at the fifth place in the list of the highest wicket-takers with 19 wickets - which include a five-fer - and accounted for the prized scalps of Ahmed Shehzad and Kamran Akmal in the last round.  Balochistan, however, will be wary of Khyber Pakhtunkwa, placed third on the points table. They might not have secured a win this season, but they remain the only side to have not lost a match either.  Their in-form batting lineup – spearheaded by Ashfaq Ahmed, the second best amongst the run-getters this tournament with 675 runs including four centuries – has accumulated the most batting points (26) from all six teams, to date.  The onus of delivering with the ball will be on their pace unit which boasts Pakistan internationals Junaid Khan and Usman Shinwari. The pace-attack has been bolstered by the introduction of 31-year-old right-arm medium-fast Ahmed Jamal, who returned a first innings six for 93 against Southern Punjab in Abbottabad in the last round.  Upcoming fixtures (18-21 Nov)  Northern v Southern Punjab, KRL Stadium, Rawalpindi  Sindh v Central Punjab, National Stadium, Karachi  Khyber Pakhtunkhwa v Balochistan, UBL Sports Complex, Karachi