KARACHI: In perhaps one of the worst fielding performances seen in living memory, bottom-placed Sindh put up a horrendous show against Northern on day one of their eighth-round Quaid-e-Azam Trophy fixture here at the National Stadium on Monday.

In the other two games, batsmen were on top as Kamran Ghulam continued his Bradmanesque-like form with yet another century for table-toppers Khyber Pakhtunkhwa — the 25-year-old’s third in as many matches — while young opener Ali Zaryab had the honour of scoring Central Punjab’s first hundred in the ongoing first-class championship.

Northern might have not even reached a three-figure total after Nauman Ali opted to bat first in the televised game at the National Stadium but the generosity of the Sindh fielders played a key part in enabling them to reach 203 all out after the opening session provided the first instance of a side losing five wickets before lunch on the first day at the National Stadium this season.

In fact, Northern’s fifth wicket — that of discarded Pakistan all-rounder Hammad Azam to Azizullah — went down at 51 before Mohammad Nawaz and first-class debutant Mubashir Khan carried the score to 71 at the interval.

Sindh were extremely sloppy with their catching as no less than seven chances were not accepted. Captain Asad Shafiq was guilty of spilling at least two catches as was makeshift wicket-keeper Shehzar Mohammad while left-armer Mir Hamza bowled a dream new-ball spell upfront as he dismissed Nasir Nawaz (16), Umar Amin (3) and Sarmad Bhatti (6) in that order.

Nawaz rode his luck very well to hit up 79 with his 128-ball knock containing 10 boundaries, while Mubashir made a 69-ball 26 as the two added 59 for the sixth wicket before the newcomer failed to read a googly from Abrar Ahmed and got himself trapped in front. Wicket-keeper Jamal Anwar scored 51 from 72 deliveries as he helped Nawaz put on 54 for the seventh wicket.

While Hamza didn’t add to his tally of wickets, fellow pacemen Azizullah and the hardworking Shahnawaz Dhani also claimed three wickets apiece.

Sindh lost Omair Bin Yousuf (3) in a needless fashion when the young opener unwisely pulled Waqas Ahmed down the throat of Shadab Majeed at midwicket but Sharjeel Khan (32) played some delightful strokes to help his side close at 40-1.

After scoring 153 and 166 in the previous two encounters, Kamran hammered an undefeated 145 — the right-hander’s seventh ton in first-class cricket — to lift Khyber Pakhtunkhwa to a commanding 296-3 after Khalid Usman chose to bat against Southern Punjab at the UBL Sports Complex.

Khyber Pakhtunkhwa received an early jolt when Musadiq Ahmed fell leg-before-wicket to the very first delivery of the match from Aamir Yamin. Fakhar Zaman also failed to get going as the Pakistan left-hander was stumped off spinning all-rounder Agha Salman for 15.

Kamran, who had arrived to the middle at 37-2, then saw Israrullah depart for 49 with the team score on 85, to leg-spinner Zahid Mahmood.

However, that was the final celebration for Southern Punjab as the next 232 minutes entirely belonged to Kamran and Adil Amin, who combined to share an unbroken partnership of 211. Kamran has so far struck 19 fours and one six during his 249-ball knock while also becoming the first batsman this season to cross the 800-run mark. Adil’s 172-ball 76 includes six fours and a brace of sixes.

The 21-year-old Ali Zaryab was the mainstay for Central Punjab after skipper Hasan Ali elected to bat at the toss against Balochistan at the SBP Sports Complex. The left-hander slammed a career-best 117 from 178 balls while striking 18 boundaries and a six during his second first-class ton.

Thanks chiefly to the efforts of Ali, Central Punjab posted a healthy 297-6 in their first innings. Usman Salahuddin contributed 73 while putting on 165 for the second wicket with Ali. Mohammad Saad also played well to make 45.

Slow left-armer Jalat Khan grabbed three wickets for 92 runs in 31 overs.

Close of play scores on Monday (day one of four):

First XI, eighth round:

At National Stadium, Karachi: NORTHERN 203 in 68.2 overs (Mohammad Nawaz 79, Jamal Anwar 51, Mubashir Khan 26; Azizullah 3-48, Shahnawaz Dhani 3-49, Mir Hamza 3-52); SINDH 40-1 in 11 overs (Sharjeel Khan 32 not out).

At UBL Sports Complex, Karachi: KHYBER PAKHTUNKHWA 296-3 in 96 overs (Kamran Ghulam 145 not out, Adil Amin 76 not out, Israrullah 49) vs SOUTHERN PUNJAB.

At SBP Sports Complex, Karachi: CENTRAL PUNJAB 297-6 in 90 overs (Ali Zaryab 117, Usman Salahuddin 73, Mohammad Saad 45, Ali Shan 28 not out; Jalat Khan 3-92, Raza-ul-Hasan 2-62) vs BALOCHISTAN.

Published in Dawn, December 15th, 2020