Hurraira 221, centuries from Amin and Waheed give Northern total control

A 308-run third-wicket stand between Mohammad Huraira and Umar Amin, followed by a 155-run partnership between Umar Waheed and Rohail Nazir, powered Northern to a lead of 309 over Sindh at close of play on the third day of the Quaid-e-Azam Trophy final in Lahore.

Northern started the third day on 296 for 2, already 12 runs in front, and batted through the day before being bowled out for 593. Hurraira top-scored for them with 221, while there were centuries for Amin (114) and Waheed (109) too. Rohail fell short of the landmark by six runs when he became the ninth batter to fall.

Sindh had a tough day with the ball, particularly Shahnawaz Dahani, who conceded 137 in his 30 wicketless overs. Mohammad Umar, the quick, and Aaliyan Mahmood, the offspinner, however, had better rewards for their toil, both returning four-wicket hauls. A fair bit of their success came in the last session of the day, when Northern lost five wickets for 49 runs.

There was time - and ten overs - left, but poor light prevented the umpires from getting the Sindh second innings started.

Hurraira, the highest run-getter in his debut season last year as well as in the ongoing one so far, was supreme, scoring 221 off just 236 balls, with 35 fours and two sixes. This was his first double-century of the season, to go with three centuries, and he currently has 1024 runs, well ahead of the other players still in action - Amin, the Northern captain, is next on that list, but 250 runs behind.

Northern, who resumed with Hurraira on 193 and Amin on 79, didn't lose any wickets in the opening session but Danish Aziz broke through with Hurraira's wicket after lunch, and Aaliyan then sent back Amin not long after to raise Sindh's hopes. But Waheed, playing only his fourth game of the season, and Rohail ensured Northern didn't concede the advantage. For Waheed, it was his first century of the season, after he had fallen for 96 in the previous game, against Central Punjab.