Khurram, Saud hit centuries; Zeeshan shines against CP.

KARACHI -- Khurram Manzoor and Saud Shakeel hit centuries to help Sindh boost their chances of reaching the Quaid-i-Azam Trophy final on the opening day of their tenth-round tie against Balochistan at Lahore's LCCA Ground on Sunday.

Sindh are placed second in the Trophy behind Northern, whose formidable line-up was bundled out for 223 by defending champions Khyber Pakhtunkhwa at the Shoaib Akhtar Stadium in Rawalpindi.

Central Punjab, who are also eyeing a spot in the final, saw Southern Punjab's Zeeshan Ashraf score a ton against them at the Gaddafi Stadium in Lahore.

For Sindh, opener Khurram led the way with an unbeaten 174 off 258 balls (24 fours, one six). After a 70-run opening stand with Saim Ayub (41), Khurram notched up an unbroken 279-run alliance for the second-wicket with captain Saud.

The stylish left-hander was batting on 124 off 159 balls (13 fours, one six) when stumps were drawn for the day as Sindh ended the day at 349-1. Southern Punjab, boosted by Zeeshan's knock, posted 270-3 by the close of the first day's play. The left-hander scored a scintillating 145 off 230 balls (22 fours, three sixes) to lead the way. Zeeshan added 140 runs for the third wicket with Imran Rafiq, who was batting on 58 off 131 balls (eight fours, one six) before play was called-off due to bad...