LAHORE, Nov 15: Balochistan skipper Saeed bin Nasir stuck a magnificent century to earn his side an improbable draw against Punjab in the RBS Pentangular Cup match at the Gaddafi Stadium here on Saturday.

Saeed stroked 119 — his 15th first-class century — on the final day of the four-day fixture as Balochistan staved off defeat by reaching 330 in their second innings after following-on.

Punjab, badly needing a victory to stay in contention for a place in the final, then made a mad scramble to chase down a target of 76 in 11 overs. But they lost five wickets for 17 runs in 3.3 overs when the match came to an end because of poor light at 4:17pm.

Asad Ali and Kamran Hussain cashed in on the reckless approach of the Punjab batsmen by sharing the spoils. Mohammad Hafeez made his intentions clear from the onset by lifting Kamran for a six.

Mohammad Salman, who was promoted up the order, was the first to go when Asad had the wicket-keeper/batsman caught by Saeed Anwar Jr for two.

Punjab then lost four wickets for no run. Umar Akmal fell to Kamran for one; Hafeez was bowled by the same bowler for 10 before Asad sent back Ayub Dogar and Azhar Ali on consecutive deliveries for ducks.

But the day belonged to Saeed bin Nasir, who yet again reminded the national selectors of his talent as a genuine middle-order batting candidate. The only time he ever came close to be picked for Pakistan was in 2003 when he was included in the squad for the first two Tests against Bangladesh, but failed to break into the final XI.

The right-hander, who turns 29 on Dec 19, was seventh out after occupying the crease for 203 minutes. Having come to the crease with Balochistan — 255 runs behind on the first innings — in dire straits at 67 for four, Saeed and Kamran revived the innings with a seventh-wicket stand of 106 in 102 minutes.

Kamran, an all-rounder who bowls left-arm seamers and bats right-handed, made 52 off 87 balls with the help of eight boundaries until he was caught in the gully off pacer Mohammad Talha.

Wicket-keeper Gulraiz Sadaf (48 off 65 balls, six fours and one six) then joined his skipper in another crucial partnership. The two added 69 for the eighth wicket before Saeed departed, caught at long-off off slow left-armer Abdur Rehman. His splendid 150-ball knock contained 16 fours and two sixes.

With the NWFP already having qualified for the Nov 24-28 final at the same venue after winning their all three matches thus far, the race for the other berth is still wide open with Balochistan (nine points), Federal Areas (six) and Punjab (three) all in the hunt.

In the final round of league matches, starting from Tuesday, Balochistan and Federal Areas clash in Islamabad while Punjab have the formidable NWFP to confront with in their own backyard.

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