Pakistan International Series Badminton Tournament 2019 Mahoor clinches Singles title By Abdul Jabbar Faisal ISLAMABAD:-Pencil thin and sharp girl Mahoor Shaahzad saved the blushes of Pakistan Badminton Federation (PBF) by clinching the Women’s Singles title of the Pakistan International Series Badminton Tournament 2019. She toppled top seed Soraya Aghahajiagha 2-1 in the final in a well contested three games final played at Rodham Hall, Pakistan Sports Complex Islamabad on Sunday.  Local teenager Mahoor Shahzad displayed excellent skill of the game and overcame top seed opponent Soraya Aghahajiaghe from Iran. She took the first game without any resistance and showed good technique and skills of badminton at 21-15. In the second game, Soraya took the charge and fought back with long rallies and won the second game at 21-16 to bounce back in the contest. Mahoor won the third game at 21-16 and won the title. In Men Singles final, Saran Jamsri (Thailand) comfortably defeated Geoorges Julien Paul of Mauritius in the straight games. He used powerful strokes and show great skill and technique to avoid any resistance from opponent. Agha Hassan Baloch Chairman standing committee on Sports was the chief guest of the occasion and distributed the cash prizes and trophies amongst the finalists. Total cash prize was $10000. Miss Amna Imran Director General Pakistan Sports Board, Mr Mansoor Ali Khan Deputy Director General PSB, President Pakistan Badminton Federation Nisar Ahmad Shahwai was also present on the occasion.  Results (All finals): Men Singles: Saran Jamsri (Thailand) beat Georges Julien Paul (Mauritius) by 21-14, 21-10 Men Doubles: Prad Tangsrirapeephan & Apichasit Teerawiwat (Thailand) beat Dipesh Dhami & Ratnajit Tamang (Nepal) by 26-24, 21-14 Women Singles: Mahoor Shahzad (Pakistan) beat Soraya Aghaeihajiagha (Iran) by 21-15, 16-21, 21-16 Women Doubles: Aminath Nabeeha Abdul Razzaq & Fatimath Nabaaha Abdul Razzaq (Maldives) beat Mahoor Shahzad & Bushra Qayum (Pakistan) by 21-17, 21-13 Mixed Doubles: Hussein Zayan Shaheed & Fatimath Nabaaha Abdul Razzaq (Maldives) beat Dipesh Dhami & Amita Giri (Nepal) by 21-16, 21-19  

SB Report Dubai (November 10, 2019):-Pakistan and England Blind Cricket Teams arrived in Dubai on Sunday to play a bilateral Blind Cricket series. Pakistan Blind Cricket Council is hosting the home series at neutral venue United Arabs Emirates (UAE) comprising 6 T-20 Internationals. Syed Sultan Shah, Chairman Pakistan Blind Cricket Council welcomed the English team by presenting the traditional flower bouquet. England Team Captain Ed Hossell while talking to the media told that “England Team is well prepared for this series and has done good practice in last few months. Pakistan is a tough opponent and one of the best sides in the World of Blind Cricket. He added Pakistan Team strength is their batting and we have good bowling and fielding unit to restrict them.” John Cook, the Coach of England Blind Cricket Team said in his presser that “They have the combination of young and experienced players, and confident that team is fit to take on the Pakistan side”. Pakistan Blind Cricket Team also arrived in hotel in U.A.E. Nisar Ali Captain of Pakistan Blind Cricket Team was poised to show better results in series. He said “we shall try to give delight to our people whom has been disappointed due to awful performance of   Pakistan’s main stream Cricket Team in recent T-20 matches Vs Sri Lanka and Australia” “We are here to play good cricket and well prepared for this exciting series” Muhammad Jamil, Coach of Pakistan Team said “Pakistan Team is a formidable unit and we trained them hard in the recent conditioning camps, players are eager to perform and ambitious to win”. Syed Sultan Shah, Chairman PBCC, thanked England Blind Cricket Team for the tour and wished to have a pleasant stay here.        

International badminton tournament 2019,Mahoor Shahzad moves into final BY Abdul Jabbar Faisal ISLAMABAD:-Pakistan’s to national badminton girl Mahoor Shahzad moved into the final of the ongoing Pakistan International Series Badminton Tournament 2019 after beating her opponent Neela Najeeb from Maldives in straight games 2-0 at Rodham Hall, Pakistan Sports Complex on Saturday. She will take on Sorarya Aghaeihajiagha from Iran in the final at same venue on Sunday at 9.30a.m morning. In the first semifinal of the Women’s Singles, Mahoor displayed excellent skill of the game that went neck-to-neck that finished at 21-18 after a close contest in the favour of local girl Mahoor Shahzad. In the second game Mahoor had an upper hand throughout the game that finished at 21-11. Meanwhile, in the second semifinal, Iran girl Soraraya Agheeihajiagha defeated Pakistani women Palawasha Bashir in similar style in straight games 2-0. The score-line was 21-14 and 21-15. Local girl could not produce the results according to the expectation of badminton officials. As many as 12 countries are participating in this event, Afghanistan, Iran, Iraq, Nepal, Maldives, Czech Republic, Mauritius, Canada, Malaysia, Thailand, USA and Pakistan. Results: Women’s Singles (Semifinals): Mahoor Shehzad (PAK) beat Neela Najeeb (MDV) 21-18, 21-11 Soraraya Aghaeihajiagha (IRN) beat Palawash Beshir (PAK) 21-14,21-15. Women’s Doubles (Semifinals): Bushra Qayyum & Mahoor Shehzad (PAK) beat Maisa Fathuhulla Ismail & Neela Najeeb (MDV) 21-17, 11-21, 21-18 Aminath Nabeeha Abdl Razzaq & Fathimath Nabeeha Abdul Razzaq (MDV) beat Sehra Akram & Huma Javed (PAK) 21-16, 21-12. Men’s Singles (Semifinals): Georges Julien Paul (MRI) beat Howard shu (USA) 21-14, 14-21, 21-07 Saran Jamsri (THI) beat Awais Zahid (PAK) 21-17, 18-21,21-14. Men’s Doubles (Semifinals): Dipesh Dhami & Ratnajit Tamang (NEP) beat Mohammad Attique & Raja.M.Hassnin  (PAK) beat 21-18,21-15 Pard Tangsrirapeephan & Apichasit Teerawhwat (THI) beat Mohammad Irfan Saeed & Azeem Sarwar (PAK) 21-19, 21-12 Mix Doubles (Semifinals): Dipesh Dhami & Amita Giri (NEP) beat Mohammad Ali Larosh & Ghazala Siddique (PAK) 21-15, 18-21, 21-17 Hussein Zayan shaheed & Fathimath Nabeeha Abdul Razzaq (MDV) beat Abdul Rehman & Saima Waqas (PAK) 21-14, 21-13 All finals will be played on Sunday.  

National Stadium ready to welcome Quaid-e-Azam Trophy  Abdullah Asjad Islamabad (November 9, 2019):-Karachi’s National Stadium will stage its opening Quaid-e-Azam Trophy fixture this season when Sindh will host Northern in the seventh-round action of the four-day first-class tournament on Monday. Sindh and Northern are placed fifth and sixth, respectively on the points table and will be aiming to collect maximum points to stay alive in the tournament. The fact that this fixture will also be live-streamed on the PCB’s YouTube channel, adds further spice to the contest. Sindh are yet to record their maiden first-class win and the Sarfaraz Ahmed-led unit will look to make the most of their home conditions to achieve it. Looking ahead to the fixture, Sindh captain Sarfaraz Ahmed said: “Our team is in good shape. It is just we haven’t been able to register a win in the tournament yet. Two of our matches were affected by rain and ended as draws so we are eyeing victories in the remaining matches to consolidate our position on the points table.” Northern, the only team to have suffered two defeats to date, will hope that traveling to the port-city will bring a change in their fortunes. In the last round, Northern suffered a heavy 204-run defeat at the hands of table-toppers Central Punjab at Faisalabad’s Iqbal Stadium in a contest which was dominated by the spinners.  For Northern, Nauman Ali starred with 11 wickets in the contest. The left-arm spinner went on to record the best innings figures for this tournament with eight for 71.  Nauman Ali, who has 27 scalps in five matches, said: “I am enjoying bowling with the Kookaburras as it allows spinners to bowl longer spells. I have been putting in a lot effort in my bowling and aim to finish as the highest wicket-taker.”  “It is easier to grip Kookaburra when it is new and provides bounce to the spinners. But as it gets older, a lot of effort has to be exerted with the finger. With this ball, you have to adapt with the changing conditions which will prove to be beneficial for the spinners to prepare for Test cricket.”  Central Punjab v Balochistan  After consolidating their position at the top of the points table with a win over Northern, Central Punjab host Balochistan at Gaddafi Stadium as red-ball action returns to Pakistan’s home of cricket. This will be the second meeting of the season between the two sides. Balochistan hosted Central Punjab in the third-round of the ongoing tournament at Quetta’s Bugti Stadium in which the tourists recorded a thumping win with a margin of an innings and 12 runs.  Balochistan, thanks to young all-rounder Hussain Talat, edged out in securing a draw from a precarious situation in their last round match against Southern Punjab at Bugti Stadium  After being asked to follow-on by Southern Punjab, Balochistan had half of their batting line-up back in the pavilion with just 44 runs on board with a 163-run trail to surmount.  Hussain scored a valiant 167-ball 136 – his maiden century in first-class cricket – to save his side from a certain defeat. He had fallen 11 runs short of a hundred in the previous innings.  Reflecting on the match, Hussain Talat said: “I am feeling very happy after scoring my first century in first-class cricket. I was a bit disappointed to have missed out on it in the first innings.  “As a player you have to keep going. The pitch was a bit difficult, but my plan was to bat till the end and punish bad deliveries. I had a decent National T20 Cup and this innings has provided me confidence. I aim to build on this innings in the remaining matches and end the first-class season on a high note.”  Central Punjab’s Zafar Gohar is the other in-form spinner and left a mark in the Faisalabad match. The left-arm spinner took 11 wickets, which included a seven for 79 in the second innings. The 24-year-old now has the most wickets in the tournament with 28 scalps at 25.50 runs a piece in six matches.  Zafar Gohar said: “There was pressure on me to win the match with my bowling as the pitch was providing assistance to the spinners. So, when I got the ball in my hand, I bowled challenging lines and lengths which brought me wickets.  “It is certainly a great feeling to be leading the wicket-takers’ chart as it underscores the efforts one has put in during the off-season. My ultimate objective is to finish the tournament as the highest wicket-taker. I have broken it down into smaller goals. I am taking one match at a moment and playing according to the situation and conditions on offer.”  Khyber Pakhtunkwa v Southern Punjab  Third positioned Khyber Pakhtunkhwa will hope rain doesn’t play spoilsport in their upcoming fixture against Southern Punjab, who are second on the points table and are the only other side than Central Punjab to have won a match this season, at the picturesque Abbottabad Cricket Stadium.  Khyber Pakhtunkhwa head coach Kabir Khan said: “We got into strong positions in three out of six of our matches. But, where we have not won any match yet, it is a good sign that we haven’t lost any either.  “The tournament is in a critical stage now and the teams who control their nerves will succeed as every point has become crucial. We are looking to bag maximum points even if our next game ends in another draw. So, we get a boost when we win.  “The weather has gotten cold in Abbottabad and the pitch has gotten greener. So, the conditions are conducive to fast-bowling. We will be relying on our pace duo of Usman Shinwari and Junaid Khan to get us wickets as winning first-class matches demand bagging all 20 wickets.”  Abdul Rehman, the head coach of Southern Punjab, said: “It is going to be a good contest against Khyber Pakhtunkhwa as they have young cricketers who have done well in all departments. “We were on the verge of securing a win in our last match against Balochistan. We dominated the contest for three days but made a few mistakes on the last day. We will make sure that those mistakes are not repeated again and win the upcoming match so we further consolidate our position and secure a berth in the final.”  Seventh round fixtures (11-14 November)  Central Punjab v Balochistan, Gaddafi Stadium, Lahore  Sindh v Northern, National Stadium, Karachi  Khyber Pakhtunkhwa v Southern Punjab, Abbottabad Cricket Stadium  

Badminton, Murad Ali defeated heavy weight Sankeerth in straight games By Abdul Jabbar Faisal ISLAMABAD - Pakistan's wonder boy Murad Ali made the biggest upset in the Yonex Sunrise Pakistan International Series Badminton Tournament-2019, as he ousted top seed Canadian B. R. Sankeerth in straight games in the men's singles pre-quarterfinals played here at Rodham Hall, Pakistan Sports Complex on Friday. It was a day to remember for Pakistan, as Murad, who is also former national champion gave home crowd something to cheer about, it was pack to capacity crowd present at the venue, cheering for both players, as Murad started the first game with a bang and kept his opponent under pressure, he never allowed top seed to settle down and throughout kept a sizable lead, although in the later stages of the game Sankeerth did recover, however, it was too little too late, as Murad clinched the first game 21-16. Murad kept same pressure in the second game as well and he raced to take 13-7 lead, but at that stage, Murad got relaxed and allowed Sankeerth liberty and space, which was more than enough for the top seed, who was playing for pride and played some brilliant badminton and close the gap to 12-13, Murad woke up in time and again got lead at 17-12, but once again Sankeerth bounced back and reduced the margin to 16-17, then it was 20-20, but Murad kept his cool, composure and with the help of massive crowd support, Murad manage to win the second game 23-21. While another upset was witnessed, when Amir Saeed overcame Canadian Muslim guy Hussain Ali in straight games 2-0. Amir won the first game, Amir completely outclassed his opponent with wonderful skills, superb exhibition of badminton was witnessed during the match, Amir took the first game 21-3 and he went onto take second game 21-5 to book place in the quarterfinals. While in the other matches of the morning session, Thailand's Saran Jamsri beat Raja M Zulqarnain Haider in straight games winning 21-10 and 21-7, Milan Ludik of Check Republic beat M Irfan Saeed Bhatti 2-1 in the arguably best match of the tournament, Irfan stunned Ludik by winning the first game 21-19, but Ludik bounced back to win next two games, 21-17 and 21-14 to move into quarterfinals,  Awais Zahid beat Abdur Rehman in straight games winning 21-9 and 21-17, Dipesh Dhami Nepal beat Muhammad Ali Larosh in straight games winning 21-19 and 21-11, Georges Julien Paul Mauritius beat Muhammad Muqeet Tahir in straight games winning 21-11 and 21-13, Howard Shu of USA beat Pakistan's Azeem Sarwar in one-sided affair, winning 21-12 and 21-12.

PSA waives off security fee for next two international squash fixture By Abdul Jabbar Faisal ISLAMABAD:-Chief Executive Officer (CEO), Professional Squash Association (PSA) Alex Gough has waived off the security fee of Pakistan for next upcoming two international squash fixture, which would be held at Islamabad respectively in December 2019 and January 2020. According to media department of Pakistan Squash Federation (PSF), this decision was meeting in the meeting of CEO, PSA Alex Gough and Senior Vice President (SVP) Aamir Masood, who visited Cap Town to attend the meeting of World Squash Federation (WSF). The WSF Conference and Annual General Meeting (AGM) of World Squash Federation (WSF) was held at Cape Town, South Africa on 05–06 Nov,19. WSF President Mr Jacques Fontaine presided over and delegates from 24 member nations of WSF attended the meeting. CEO PSA Alex Gough was also present during the meeting. Aamir Masood, Senior Vice President PSF represented Pakistan in the meeting. Matters related to development of the game throughout the world were discussed in the meeting detail.     Aamir Masood, in addition to WSF AGM, also had a meeting with Alex Gough, CEO Professional Squash Association (PSA) and discussed allocation of international tournaments to Pakistan for Men and Women with foreign players’ participation and without charging any security fee.  SVP, PSF briefed CEO PSA about the improved security situation in Pakistan.  After detailed deliberations, Alex Gough waived off security fee for the upcoming PSA tournaments in December, 2019 (Pakistan International Tournament for Men & Women at Islamabad) followed by Pakistan Open at Karachi in January, 2020.  He further emphasized CEO PSA for not charging any further security fee for Pakistani events to which Alex Gough assured that PSA Board would review the decision for future, as well.  It is expected that this decision by PSA would help PSF in bringing more sponsors for hosting more international tournaments in Pakistan in future.   SVP also had a detailed meeting with WSF President Jacques regarding allocation of World Junior Championship 2022 to Pakistan and briefed him about Pakistan's peaceful state for the past many years. He also requested Jacques to promote Pakistan so that more international junior championships must be conducted here. Jacques assured his support and showed his appreciation for Pakistan's appetite for international squash. SVP also had quite successful meetings with heads of Federations of various countries for mutual exchange of squash programs as a way forward to formulate an effective strategy for progression of squash in Pakistan. He congratulated Pakistan squash lovers for more good news in future.  

  Pakistan Under-16 overcome post 7 runs victory against Bangladesh Under-16 By Abdul Jabbar Faisal RAWAPINDI:-Pakistan Under-16 beat Bangladesh Under-16 by seven runs on DLS method in the third 50-over match to win three match 50-over series 2-0 at the Khan Research Laboratories (KRL) Cricket Stadium in Rawalpindi on Friday. The second 50-over match of the series was abandoned due to rain, while Pakistan won the first 50-over match by 99 runs at the same venue. Bangladesh after opting to bat first were dismissed for 165 in 30.3 overs. The match had a delayed start due to wet outfield and was restricted to 31 overs a side. Nayeem Ahmed, the visiting team captain top-scored with 45 off 52 balls, he hit four fours. Arafat Islam (22), Minhajul Hasan (21), Radowan Hossan (22) and Tawhidul Islam (24) were the only batsmen that went into the double figures. For Pakistan, left arm spinner Ali Asfand continued to shine with the ball as he took three wickets for 38 runs. Ahmad Khan, Ismail Khan and Mohammad Shehzad took two wickets apiece. In return, chasing 166 to win the match, the openers provided a solid start to the innings. Ali Hasan (24) was the first wicket to fall on 61, leg-spinner Shamsul Islam dismissed him. Mohammad Shehzad (32) was the next to go, he fell on the same score. His innings included three fours and two sixes. Later, Rizwan Mehmood and Ibrar Afzal provided a valuable 62-run partnership for the fourth wicket. Rizwan scored 34 off 38 balls, he hit four fours. Ibrar remained unbeaten on 34 off 37 balls laced with three fours. The match was stopped due to bad light in the 28th over when the home team had posted 148 runs for the loss of six wickets. The match didn’t resume afterwards and Pakistan U16 was declared winners by seven runs on DLS method as they were seven runs ahead of the DLS target at the time of the interruption. For Bangladesh, Amir Hossain and Shamsul Islam took two wickets apiece for 24 and 25 runs, respectively. Earlier, Pakistan won the two three-day match series 1-0, that series was also played at the KRL Stadium in Rawalpindi. Scores in brief: Bangladesh U16 165 all-out, 30.3 overs (Nayeem Ahmed 45; Ali Asfand 3-38, Ahmad Khan 2-20, Ismail 2-31, Mohammad Shehzad 2-36) Pakistan U16 148-6, 27.3 overs (Ibrar Afzal 34 not out, Rizwan Mehmood 34, Mohammad Shehzad 32; Amir Hossain 2-24, Shamsul Islam 2-25) Result: Pakistan U16 won by seven runs (DLS)  

Hussain Talat’s 136 rescues Balochistan SB Report Lahore, {November7 2019}:A valiant century by Hussain Talat helped Balochistan secure a draw against Southern Punjab in four-day first-class Quaid-e-Azam Trophy sixth-round fixture at Quetta’s Bugti Stadium. At 30 for two while following-on and still a 177-run trail remaining,were in a precarious situation when play resumed on Thursday morning. Their problems amplified as they lost two wickets for 14 runs and were reduced to 44 for five. But, Hussain, with his solid technique denied Southern Punjab bowlers any further inroads and stitched a 167-run partnership for the sixth-wicket with wicketkeeper-batsman Bismillah Khan - who scored 50 runs from 102 balls, hitting six fours and a six. Bismillah’s dismissal, which left Balochistan at 211 for six, opened up the possibility for Southern Punjab to secure their second win of the tournament. Hussain, however, kept pushing the opposition bowlers back and scored a remarkable 136 off 167. The all-rounder cracked 17 fours and four sixes in his 240-minute stay at the crease, before he was removed by Rahat Ali, who recorded his career’s 12th five-fer. The left-arm medium-fast took five for 49 in 24 overs. Mohammad Irfan jnr was the other notable bowler as his right-arm medium-fast accounted for three Balochistan’s wickets for 64 runs. Balochistan were all-out for 295 in the evening session, setting an 89-run target in 13 overs for Southern Punjab to win the match. The two captains shook hands 2.3 overs into the final innings of the match, with the scorecard reading 11 without the loss of any wicket and Sami Aslam and Umar Siddique batting at six and two. Southern Punjab travel to Abbottabad to take on Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, while Balochistan play Central Punjab at Lahore’s Gaddafi Stadium. Khyber Pakhtunkhwa v Sindh, Abbottabad Cricket Stadium Play was not possible for the second consecutive day at the Abbottabad Cricket Stadium due to heavy rains. Sindh had scored 147 for three in 36 overs by the close of play on Tuesday in their reply of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa’s first innings 288 all-out. As happened in the third round action where first innings between Khyber Pakhtunkhwa and Southern Punjab, and Northern and Sindh remained incomplete due to weather and batting and bowling points were awarded on the basis of where the matches concluded, Khyber Pakhtunkhwa received two batting points for scoring 288 and one point for taking three wickets, while Sindh received three bowling point for bowling-out Khyber Pakhtunkhwa. Sindh host Northern at National Stadium in Karachi. Scores in brief Southern Punjab v Balochistan, Bugti Stadium, Quetta Southern Punjab 502 all-out, 129.3 overs (Sami Aslam 168, Umar Siddique 130, Adnan Akmal 80, Abdul Rehman Muzamil 41, Sohaib Maqsood 36, Mohammad Irfan 23; Mohammad Asghar 5-130; Amad Butt 4-103) and 11-0, 2.3 overs (Sami Aslam 6 not out, Umar Siddique 2 not out) Balochistan 295 all-out, overs 79.3 overs (Hussain Talat 89, Imran Farhat 65, Bismillah Khan 36, Amad Butt 32, Imran Butt 23; Umaid 5-57, Mohammad Irfan jnr 2-53, Zahid Mahmood 2-57) and after follow-on 295 all-out, 89.4 overs (Hussain Talat 136, Bismillah Khan 50; Rahat Ali 5-49, Mohammad Irfan jnr 3-64) Result: Match Drawn Khyber Pakhtunkhwa v Sindh, Abbottabad Cricket Stadium Khyber Pakhtunkhwa 288 all-out, 106 overs (Sahibzada Farhan 88, Rehan Afridi 57 not out, Sajid Khan 39, Israrullah 36, Zohaib Khan 28; Sohail Khan 4-62, Hassan Khan 2-37, Mir Hamza 2-65) Sindh 147-3, 36 overs (Omair Bin Yousaf 56, Saud Shakeel 35 not out, Fawad Alam 29 not out; Junaid Khan 2-49)  

Saim’s 79 help Sindh U19 clinch National U19 One-Day Tournament Lahore, November 6:Sindh’s opening batsman Saim Ayub scored 79 off 104 as Sindh U19 beat Balochistan U19 by 123 runs in the final of the National U19 One-Day Tournament 2019 at the Rana Naveed Cricket Academy in Sheikhupura on Wednesday.  After opting to bat, Sindh scored 250 for nine in 50 overs.  Saim, the left-handed batsman’s, innings included six fours and two sixes.  He added 113- runs for the third wicket with Mohammad Taha, who scored 62 off 78 balls laced with eight fours and two sixes.  For Balochistan, slow left-arm Mohammad Junaid took six wickets for 32.  In their run-chase, Balochistan were dismissed for 127 in 35.2 overs. Haseebullah top-scored with a 74-ball 56, he hit six fours and a six.  For Sindh, Amir Ali was the most successful bowler with four wickets for 31 runs.  Arish Ali Khan and Mohammad Taha took three and two wickets, respectively.  Saim Ayub was declared the Player-of- the-Match, while Mohammad Taha who scored 62 in the final was declared the Player-of- the-Tournament for his all-round performance which included 153 runs and 13 wickets.  Scores in brief:  Sindh U19 250-9, 50 overs (Saim Ayub 79, Mohammad Taha 62; Mohammad Junaid 6-32)  Balochistan U19 127 all-out, 35.2 overs (Haseebullah 56; Amir Ali 4-31, Arish Ali Khan 3-22)  Player of the match – Saim Ayub (Sindh)  Player of the tournament – Mohammad Taha, Sindh (153 runs and 13 wickets in six matches)  Result – Sindh U19 won by 123 runs 

Central Punjab poised for victory in Faisalabad   SB Report  Karachi, November 6:Central Punjab took control of their Quaid-e-Azam Trophy four-day first-class match against Northern at the Iqbal Stadium, Faisalabad on Wednesday. Day-three of the match belonged to Central Punjab’s batsmen as Rizwan Hussain’s 110, Umar Akmal’s 73 and Usman Salahuddin’s unbeaten 72 helped the home side amass 345 for six declared in their second innings.  Set a 381-run target, Northern were struggling to avoid a defeat as they stumbled to 121 for five by close of play, still needing a further 260 runs for a win with only five second innings wickets remaining. Zeeshan Malik with 52 off 58 balls, nine fours and one six was the only one to confront the Central Punjab bowlers with some confidence.  The spin duo of Bilal Asif and Zafar Gohar who shared seven wickets in the first innings took all five wickets to fall. Zafar has so far taken three for 46 in 20 overs while Bilal has taken two wickets for 38 runs in 13 overs.  Earlier, resuming at the overnight score of 137 for two, Central Punjab pushed on the accelerator by adding 116 runs for the loss of two wickets in the first session of the day. They maintained their run scoring momentum in the second session before declaring the innings.  Opener Rizwan Hussain compiled his 110 off 123 balls, striking eight fours and four sixes. Umar Akmal who made fifties in both innings, was dismissed for 73, he faced 90 balls and struck nine fours and two sixes.  Usman faced 97 balls for his unbeaten 72 that included seven fours and three sixes. Northern’s captain Nauman Ali who took eight wickets in the first innings had to settle for three costly wickets in the second innings as he conceded 160 runs in 28 overs.  In Abbottabad, the third day’s play of the first-class Quaid-e-Azam Trophy fixture between Khyber Pakhtunkhwa and Sindh had to be called-off due to rain.  Scores in brief:  Central Punjab 226 all out, 69.1 overs (Ahmed Shehzad 55, Umar Akmal 52, Salman Butt 41; Nauman Ali 8-71) and 345 for 6 declared, 66.3 overs (Rizwan Hussain 110, Umar Akmal 73, Usman Salahuddin 72 not out; Nauman Ali 3-160)  Northern 191 all out, 64.1 overs (Hammad Azam 52,Umar Amin 42; Zafar Gohar 4-54, Bilal Asif 3-57) and 121 for 5, 40 overs (Zeeshan Malik 52, Umar Amin 27; Zafar Gohar 3-46, Bilal Asif 2-38)