KARACHI: Emerging opener Azan Awais’ centuries in both innings helped Sialkot draw their final Quaid-e-Azam Trophy (QEAT) triangular game against the Lahore Whites here at the National Bank Stadium on Monday.
The stalemate sent Sialkot and Peshawar into the final of the country’s premier first-class tournament, which is scheduled to begin on January 2 at the same venue.
The tense final day of the aforementioned game began with the Lahore Whites resuming their first innings of 628/9.
They, however, could add another 11 runs to their total before they were bowled out for 639 and secured a daunting lead of 174 runs.
The Sialkot batting unit, which accumulated 465 runs in its first innings, was put under immense pressure by a Lahore Whites bowling attack led by Mohammad Ahsan.
Amad Butt’s side were reduced to 102/4, trailing by a further 75 runs, until Azan and Mohsin Riaz got them out of trouble with a match-saving partnership.
The duo put Sialkot in the lead with their 116-run partnership, which culminated in Azan’s dismissal.
Azan continued to be Sialkot’s top scorer with an anchor of 121 off 169 deliveries, studded with 17 boundaries and a six.
Mohsin, on the other hand, stood firm and carried the bat all the way to score an unbeaten 57 off 95 balls, comprising six fours and a six.
His defiant knock helped Sialkot amass 260/6 and an 86-run lead when stumps were drawn.
For Lahore Whites, Ahsan took two wickets while Ubaid Shah, Hikmatullah and Saad Nasim took a scalp each.
