The Quaid-e-Azam Trophy 2021-2022 has entered into an interesting stage. With just two rounds to go (the penultimate to begin from Sunday [today]) at various venues of Karachi five teams seem to be in close contest for claiming the final two spots. Sindh and Khyber Pakhtunkhwa lead the chart with 102 points each with the former occupying the pole position due to a better net run-rate. Sindh, being led by Asad Shafiq, could have confirmed their final berth but they were beaten by Northern by an innings and 39 runs in their eighth round fixture the other day. In this game Sindh’s batting completely failed. But being leaders, they have a good chance to make it to the final which will be held from December 25 to 29 at the National Stadium, Karachi.

Sindh’s most successful batsman of the season Ahsan Ali, who has also scored a triple century, has been a bit off-colour and Sindh will need a big innings from him. Khurram Manzoor, Omair Bin Yousuf and Asad Shafiq also need consistency in their batting if they are to qualify for the final. This is indeed an impressive season for Sindh’s young batsman Saad Khan who has so far scored 605 runs in seven matches. He hit two centuries and four fifties. He also needs a solid knock at the crucial stage. Fast bowlers Mir Hamza and Sohail Khan have been bowling well for Sindh.

KP, meanwhile, have revived their position. A few rounds ago they were trailing fourth but now have moved to second spot, just behind leaders Sindh on the net run-rate. They downed Southern Punjab by seven wickets on December 9 thanks to a century by Sahibzada Farhan, who belongs to Charsadda district. Farhan leads the batting chart with the highest 860 runs in the season which he has scored with the help of three centuries and five fifties. His highest score is 163 and his average is 71.66.

KP’s bowlers have also done a wonderful job. Every bowler – Asif Afridi, Sameen Gul, Arshad Iqbal, Irfanullah Shah – has given his 100 percent.

Northern, being led by Umar Amin, also reignited their final hopes when they registered a massive win over Sindh in the 8th round fixture. Before this round they were trailing in fifth place. Now they are at the third spot with 101 points, just a single point behind Sindh and KP.

Mohammad Huraira and Umar Amin have been doing well with the bat for Northern. Their 19-year-old off-spinner Mubasir Khan has been impressive as he has captured 17 wickets so far. Kashif Ali has also done well with the ball.

In the last game, young paceman Athar Mahmood ripped through Sindh’s batting and earned a crucial win for Northern.

Central Punjab are also very much in contention for the final with 100 points from eight matches.

Mohammad Ali, Bilawal Iqbal and Zafar Gohar have carried their bowling load very well. Abid Ali, by hitting three centuries, gave momentum to Central Punjab. However, he had to leave for Pakistan duty and will join the squad for the next round as he has returned from Bangladesh where he was adjudged the man of the series.

Mohammad Saad, who has played all eight matches for Central Punjab, has been their top-scorer so far with 610 runs.

Southern Punjab have dropped to the fifth spot with 90 points and they now need super performances in the next two rounds if they are to make it to the final. Balochistan, who are at the rock bottom with 71 points, have little chances now. They have been winless so far. They have suffered a lot due to their key players’ association with the national team and Pakistan A team.

Some players who were part of the Test series against Bangladesh will join their squads for the ninth round. Their presence will certainly bolster their respective units’ chances of qualifying for the final. And it is highly likely that during the final which will be held after the Pakistan-West Indies series, top Pakistan Test players could be seen in action.

The teams are very happy with the wickets which have been prepared for the event in Karachi. The wickets have been found very supportive and it’s a plus point of the Karachi round which these days offers to the competing teams a pleasant environment for cricket.

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