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