For the second straight round, all matches in the Quaid-e-Azam Trophy failed to yield a conclusive result at any of the three venues.
The only interest on Saturday’s fourth and final day was whether Ayaz Tasawwar and Bismillah Khan would succeed in reaching their centuries at the Multan Cricket Stadium.
In the end, both Ayaz (113) and Bismillah (116) did, and their superlative partnership of 209 for the fifth wicket inspired Balochistan to 571-7 declared in response to Southern Punjab’s 457-5 declared.
In the brief time left, Tayyab Tahir followed up his stupendous knock of 221 in the first innings by hitting up an unbeaten 60.
Pakistan Test discard Asad Shafiq made amends for his first-ball duck last Wednesday by making a stroke-filled 96 while adding 141 for the fourth wicket with the ever-reliable Fawad Alam (66 not out) as Sindh recovered from 18-3 to close at 180-5 against Khyber Pakhtunkhwa at the Iqbal Stadium.—APP
