Punjab continue emphatic form in Pentangular Cup

Federal Areas’ Umar Amin was in form as he took his third wicket, dismissing Nazar Hussain.

KARACHI: Punjab batsmen added to the woes of Sindh bowlers after posting a mammoth 471 for four on the second day of their Pentangular Cup match.

Resuming on 347 for three, Punjab added another 124 runs to their tally with top-scoring Mohammad Ayub being dismissed for 140 by Sohail Khan. However, Usman Salahuddin (56*) and Kamran Sajid (42*) left no loopholes for Sindh bowlers, who remained unsuccessful at cracking their opponent’s strong batting line-up. Sajid joined Salahuddin after Ayub’s dismissal and picked up the pace of the match smashing five boundaries.

Balochistan stable with 353

Federal Areas finished the second day at 135 for two after Balochistan fought back to post 353 before being dismissed.

Picking up from 320 for nine, Zulfiqar Babar (36*) and Nazar Hussain (13) added a crucial 33 to their total before Umar Amin picked up his third wicket. In reply, Federal Areas looked shaky losing two wickets in quick time. Opener Umair Khan was sent packing at seven by Abdur Rauf, but his partner Raheel Majeed steered Federal Areas to some stability with an unbeaten 62-run knock.

Balochistan’s Hussain took the second wicket dismissing Awais Zia for 16. Amin remained not out at 37 with Majeed.

Published in The Express Tribune, February 21^st, 2011.