KARACHI, March 13: Sindh produced a clinical display on Thursday to outclass Punjab by an innings and 31 runs to clinch the Pentangular Cup title here at the National Stadium.

Sindh’s third victory, which earned them the maximum nine points, carried them to the top of the five-team standings with 21 points, three more than the second-placed Federal Areas.

The result, which was achieved with more than a day to spare, was a tribute to the fighting unit that the Shahid Afridi-led Sindh fielded in the championship. Afridi collected the record winners’ purse of Rs1 million from chief guest Dr Nasim Ashraf, the PCB chairman. Federal Areas, the eventual runners-up earned Rs500,000.

Undeterred by a narrow one-wicket loss to Federal Areas last Saturday, Sindh never allowed Punjab to have a tilt at the title after taking a decisive first-innings lead of 233 runs. Punjab were bowled out for 202 in the second innings.

Punjab tried to stage a comeback when they reached 107 for two at the tea break with skipper Misbah-ul-Haq leading the way. But once the Pakistan star batsman had gone, the rot set in as the last eight wickets crashed for the addition of just 61 runs.

Upcoming paceman Anwar Ali, one of the stars of Pakistan Under-19 World Cup-winning squad in 2006, was the wrecker-in-chief in the final session of the third day by taking four quick wickets after the third-wicket partnership of 87 between Misbah and Ammar Mahmood ended.

Misbah, who later admitted his side was thoroughly outplayed in this crunch title-decider, was dismissed for a 72-ball 51 (four fours and three sixes) when he unwisely chased a wide delivery and only managed to steer a simple catch to Naumanullah in the slips.

Afridi, who had taken care of openers Mohammad Hafeez (17) and Nasir Jamshed (27) in the post-lunch session, claimed his third wicket when he trapped Ammar (40 off 85 balls, seven boundaries) LBW.

The Sindh skipper was also responsible for running out Adnan Raza for a four-duck before Anwar took over the demolition operation. The 20-year-old right-armer had Kamran Akmal well caught in the covers by Fawad Alam for a duck before Abdul Rehman (6) was adjudged LBW by umpire Nadeem Ghauri. TV replays indicated the left-hander was unfortunate to be given out since the ball had pitched outside the leg stump.

Anwar then clean bowled Junaid Zia for nine and Wahab Riaz caught at mid-off by Khurram Manzoor for no score.

Appropriately, Sohail had the honour of taking the final wicket — winning a LBW verdict against Fahad Masood (9) —– to complete his remarkable first season of first-class cricket with a staggering 91 wickets in 14 matches. He was named the Man-of-the-Match for his haul of six for 97 in this game as well as the tournament’s best bowler (23 wickets at 16.69).

Salman Butt, who was forced to bat No 6 from his normal spot at the top of the order because of a leg injury, was left stranded on 29 when the match ended. But the left-hander had the satisfaction of being declared the best batsman of the tournament with a tally of 688 runs (ave 137.60).

Kamran Akmal won the best wicket-keeper’s prize of Rs50,000 for his 15 dismissals (14 catches and one stumping), while Sohail Tanvir, the Federal Areas all-rounder, was declared the player of the tournament. His prize was a 1600cc car.

Earlier, Sindh added 114 to their overnight score of 303-6 before Afridi opted to close the innings at 417-7 at lunch. Sarfraz Ahmed, who resumed at 25, finished on 82 (108 balls, five fours and one six) as he and Anwar Ali (33) put on 81 for the unbroken eighth-wicket stand after Fawad was out for 43.

Scoreboard

PUNJAB (1st Innings) 184 (Adnan Raza 45; Sohail Khan 4-58).

SINDH (1st Innings, overnight 303-6):

Khurram Manzoor c Hafeez b Fahad 36

Khalid Latif c Salman b Wahab 25

Naumanullah c Kamran b Wahab 6

Rizwan Ahmed c Misbah b Wahab 79

Faisal Iqbal c Kamran b Wahab 65

Fawad Alam c Kamran b Junaid 43

Shahid Afridi c Fahad b Hafeez 14

Sarfraz Ahmed not out 82

Anwar Ali not out 33

EXTRAS (B-15, LB-9, W-1, NB-13) 38

TOTAL (for seven decl, 111 overs) 417

FALL OF WKTS: 1-47, 2-59, 3-86, 4-224, 5-227, 6-248, 7-336.

DID NOT BAT: Sohail Khan, Abdul Ameer.

BOWLING: Wahab Riaz 28-2-99-4 (9nb, 1w); Junaid Zia 22-2-92-1 (3nb); Fahad Masood 29-3-78-1; Abdul Rehman 20-2-78-0 (1nb); Mohammad Hafeez 12-1-46-1.

PUNJAB (2nd Innings):

Mohammad Hafeez c Nauman b Afridi 17

Nasir Jamshed lbw b Afridi 27

Ammar Mahmood lbw b Afridi 40

Misbah-ul-Haq c Nauman b Sohail 51

Adnan Raza run out 0

Salman Butt not out 29

Kamran Akmal c Fawad b Anwar 0

Abdul Rehman lbw b Anwar 6

Junaid Zia b Anwar 9

Wahab Riaz c Khurram b Anwar 0

Fahad Masood lbw b Sohail 9

EXTRAS (B-2, LB-4, NB-8) 14

TOTAL (all out, 55 overs) 202

FALL OF WKTS: 1-43, 2-54, 3-141, 4-145, 5-157, 6-162, 7-178, 8-188, 9-188.

BOWLING: Sohail Khan 13-4-41-2; Abdul Ameer 9-2-31-0 (3nb); Anwar Ali 16-5-45-4; Shahid Afridi 16-4-60-3 (1nb); Rizwan Ahmed 1-0-19-0 (4nb).

RESULT: Sindh won by an innings and 31 runs.

UMPIRES: Nadeem Ghauri and Riazuddin.

TV UMPIRE: Salim Badar.

MATCH REFEREE: Anwer Khan.

MAN-OF-THE-MATCH: Sohail Khan.

MAN-OF-THE-TOURNAMENT: Sohail Tanvir (Federal Areas).