Karachi: Balochistan turned the tables against Northern after a comprehensive triumph by an innings and five runs in the afternoon session of the third day of the ninth Quaid-e-Azam Trophy match at the UBL Sports Complex on Tuesday.
The day began with Northern under the 169-run deficit in their second innings and they were bowled out for 164 in 45 overs.
Kashif, the left-arm orthodox, took four wickets for 67 as he finished the match with match figures of nine for 142. He had recorded a five-wicket haul in the first innings.
Raza, who had taken three wickets for 67 in the first innings, returned four for 50.
Northern’s top scorer, Sarmad Bhatti registered 31 while Umar Amin and Mohammad Nawaz stroked 29 and 27 runs respectively.
Balochistan, placed at the bottom of the points table before the start of the ongoing round, pocketed 25 points from the contest, which has taken their tally to 102. They will face Sindh in the last round game, begins from December 26.
Northern only added three points to their account. In their last group match, they will face Khyber Pakhtunkhwa.
At the State Bank Stadium, Saud Shakeel’s third century of the season (123 not out) helped Sindh to set a 370-run target for Southern Punjab.
Captain Asad Shafiq and Saad Ali made notable contributions with 55 and 62, respectively, before Sindh declared their innings on 399-5.
Earlier, Sharjeel Khan registered his 25th half-century and perished on 74.
Southern Punjab were 61 for one in 19 overs at the close of play with Zain Abbas (28) and Imran Rafiq (26) at the crease. Mir Hamza picked up the only Southern Punjab wicket – Umar Siddiq, who made seven.
At the National Stadium, Khyber Pakhtunkhwa declared at 312-7 in reply to Central Punjab’s 351-7 which set the match for an exciting final day.
Central Punjab were 89-3 and had a second innings lead of 128 runs. KP’s pacers Irfanullah Shah, Sameen Gul and Arshad Iqbal picked up a wicket each.
Khyber Pakhtunkhwa’s Adil Amin (96) and Zohaib Khan (75) scored half-centuries and took their overnight fourth-wicket stand to 130.
Table-toppers Khyber Pakhtunkhwa were 255 for three at the completion of 100 over. They gained two batting points, while fourth-ranked Central Punjab bagged one bowling point for dismissing three batsmen.
Qasim Akram recorded his maiden five-wicket haul with 5-51 from 19 overs.
On the final morning of the match, Mohammad Saad (46 not out) and Qasim (12 not out) will resume Central Punjab’s innings.