KARACHI: Northern’s left-arm spinner Nauman Ali registered his 17th career five-fer, fast bowler Aamer Yamin of Southern Punjab recorded his seventh five-fer in his 50th first-class match and Khyber Pakhtunkhwa’s top-order batsman Kamran Ghulam stroked an unbeaten century as first-class Quaid-e-Azam Trophy seventh round fixtures entered into an interesting phase after second day’s play on Wednesday.
34-year-old Nauman returned figures of 24-3-84-7 to help Northern dismiss Central Punjab for 234 and grab a slender but a confidence-boosting nine runs first innings lead. When play ended at the UBL Sports Complex, Northern had reached 77 for two in their second outing to extend their advantage to 86 runs.
Central Punjab, replying to Northern’s 243, were comfortably placed at 150 for three, before Nauman ran riot to spin out the middle and lower-order as he turned almost unplayable. By virtue of claiming seven wickets, Nauman became the first bowler to take 50 wickets in the season.
For Central Punjab, openers Muhammad Akhlaq and Ali Zaryab were the notable run-scorers. Akhlaq scored 67 with seven fours and two sixes from 121 balls, while Ali contributed 45 off 122 balls with six fours.
In front of the broadcast cameras at the National Stadium, Aamir Yamin celebrated his 50th first-class match with figures of 14-3-47-6 as Balochistan were bundled out for 164 in reply to Southern Punjab’s 256.
After securing 92-run first innings lead, Southern Punjab had put a stranglehold over Balochistan by reaching 149 for two at the close of play. Imran Rafiq (60) and Saif Badar (41) will resume Southern Punjab’s second innings on Thursday.
30-year-old Aamir Yamin, who had taken three of the four Balochistan wickets to fall in the short final session on Tuesday, continued to maintain his nagging line and length. He was well supported by the fielders who enabled him to secure his seventh five-fer since making his debut 11 years ago.
Balochistan, who had resumed the day at the overnight score of 16 for four, were rescued by left-handed Ayaz Tasawar, whose gutsy and fighting knock was ended by a beauty from wrist spinner Zahid Mahmood. No.7 batsman Ayaz scored 76 that came off 97 balls and included 10 fours and a six.
Together with Bismillah Khan (24), Ayaz added 48 runs for the seventh wicket after Balochistan had plunged to 65 for six and then added 31 priceless runs for the ninth wicket with Jalat Khan (20).
25-year-old Kamran Ghulam stroked his sixth first-class century to help Khyber Pakhtunkhwa reach 260 for four in reply to Sindh’s 229 at the State Bank Stadium.
Kamran has struck 13 fours to date in a 241-ball innings and has added 50 runs for the unfinished fifth wicket with Rehan Afridi (30 not out). Prior to this, Kamran had put on 143 runs for the third wicket with Fakhar Zaman (62 runs) after his side was in some bother at 20 for two.