Central Punjab and Khyber Pakhtunkhwa battled in an epic Quaid-e-Azam Trophy final as the match ended in a tie. Khyber Pakhtunkhwa looked to be the clear favorites as they had restricted Central Punjab to 202/7 in a run chase of 356.
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Hasan Ali Scores Record-Breaking Century in QeA Trophy Final
Captain of Central Punjab, Hasan Ali, took the charge and counter-attacked the KP bowlers and brought Central Punjab to within one run of victory, but KP held onto their nerves as the match ended in a tie. Hasan Ali scored his first first-class century in a magnificent knock that took 58 balls.
KPK scored 300 in the first innings with Kamran Ghulam scoring yet another half-century and was supported by Adil Amin who scored a half-century as well. Central Punjab managed to score 257/9 before captain Hasan Ali declared the innings to prevent KPK to score maximum first innings points by getting all ten wickets.
Kamran Ghulam scored yet another century to become the leading run scorer in a single edition of Quaid-e-Azam trophy as KPK posted 312 runs on the board, setting up a target of 356 for Central Punjab to chase with just over a day remaining in the match.
Usman Salahuddin was the sole warrior for Central Punjab with his gritty knock of 67, while other wickets kept tumbling down. Having been reduced to 202/7, Central Punjab were on the brink of losing the match, before Hasan Ali took charge. Hasan dismantled the KPK bowling unit, hitting boundaries regularly.
He was supported by young spinner, Ahmed Safi Abdullah, who scored 35 runs in 23 balls before being removed by Sameen Gul. Spinner Sajid Khan picked up the wicket of tailender Waqas Maqsood with one run required to win the match, to secure an unlikely tie for KPK.
Hasan Ali’s heroics could not earn the side the victory but his valiant effort brought them closer to victory than they had probably imagined. Hasan’s performances throughout the tournament have been immense as he led his side to their second successive final.
Wow. What a innings played by him