Sports Desk Karachi
Pakistan discarded pacer Mohammad Musa Khan inspired a brilliant comeback by Northern in their Quaid-e-Azam Trophy fixture against Khyber Pakhtunkhwa.
Unlike day one, Thursday’s second day saw the bowlers hit the straps in a big way as Khyber Pakhtunkhwa seemingly lost ground after surrendering the remaining five wickets for the addition of 97 runs at the Gaddafi Stadium in Lahore.
However, the first-innings tally of 337 created panic in the Northern ranks when four wickets fell for only 82 after young Musa had claimed his maiden five-for in first-class cricket before finishing with 5-78 in 22.1 overs.
However, Northern recovered superbly on the back of an unfinished partnership of 97 between Faizan Riaz (57) and Mubasir Khan (59) to close the day at 179-4.
Balochistan had the honour of piling up the first 400-plus total of the new season as they extended the overnight 253-4 to 402 all out against Sindh at Faisalabad’s Iqbal Stadium.
Wicket-keeper/batter Bismillah Khan was the main man with a stroke-filed knock of 74 (10 boundaries, one six).
And although Sharjeel Khan departed early for 13, Khurram Manzoor and Saad Khan carried their side to 91-1 when stumps were drawn for the day.
Meanwhile, in the Punjab derby at the Multan Cricket Stadium in the city of saints, Central were on top after reducing Southern to 130-4 by stumps.
Earlier, Central opener Abid Ali added 26 more runs before being dismissed for 158 as his team posted 384 all out in their first innings.
