KARACHI, Feb 29: Sindh surged to the top of the Pentangular Cup standings with a remarkable two-day thrashing of Balochistan by six wickets as the bowlers continued their domination at the National Stadium here on Friday.

Having conceded a first-innings lead of 48 runs, Sindh struck with vengeance to bundle out Balochistan for just 42 in 18.2 overs in the second innings with rising Pakistan fast bowler Sohail Khan producing a devastating burst that fetched him six for 21 in 9.2 overs. Anwar Ali Khan claimed three for 12 in eight overs as the Balochistan innings lasted 99 minutes.

At one point, Balochistan were heading for the lowest-ever total in the history of Pakistan first-class cricket when the seventh wicket fell at the score of 17.

But tail-ender Tanvir Ahmed ensured the dubious record remained intact with National Bank of Pakistan (20 against Pakistan Customs in a Patron’s Trophy match at the UBL Sport Complex in 1998-99).

It was the lowest ever total for Balochistan since National Bank bowled out them for 53 in a Quaid-i-Azam Trophy fixture at the Karachi Gymkhana Ground away back in 1974-75.

Tanvir scored 13 — the only double-figure score in a sorry-looking Balochistan innings — before he was ninth out at 40, stumped by Sarfraz Ahmed off Test leg-spinner Danish Kaneria.

The second day was a replica of the incredible opening day when 18 wickets fell with 16 wickets going down on Friday for the mere addition of 142 runs. Overall, the match yielded only 460 runs for the loss of no less than 36 wickets as Sindh collected six points to take their haul to 12 in two matches.

Resuming at 131 for eight, Sindh’s first innings lasted another 38 minutes before they were all out for 139 in reply to Balochistan’s 187.

Faisal Iqbal, 46 overnight, was dismissed for a composed 52 — the only half-century of the game — that included five boundaries. The Test right-hander batted for 205 minutes and negotiated 120 balls.

Tanvir finished with four for 43 with fellow pacers Faisal Irfan and Azharullah sharing the remaining wickets.

Sohail, who has claimed 73 wickets in 12 matches in his debut first-class season, then sliced through the Balochistan batting as he ripped out five batsmen in as many overs.

On the way he was given great support by the close-in fielders with Faisal Iqbal, who would have been the Man-of-the-Match had there been an official ceremony, pulling off a magnificent low catch at second slip to get rid of Bilal Khilji.

Chasing 91, Sindh lost four wickets before Faisal (22) and Sarfraz (16) joined hands to complete the rout.

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