Azhar Ali continued his excellent form since departing Worcestershire at the end of the 2022 season by hitting a double century for Central Punjab against Northern at Faisalabad in the Quaid-e-Azam Trophy.
Azhar, who is returning to New Road next summer, scored 219 in a knock lasting eight-and-three-quarter hours after Central Punjab had elected to bat.
He struck six sixes and 20 fours in his 323-ball innings and put on 224 for the fourth wicket with Tayyab Tahir as Central Punjab totalled 509-9 declared.
It was the 45th first-class hundred of Azhar’s career and followed on from his 107 against Balochistan two weeks ago.
He has scored 334 runs at an average of 111.33 in three matches in the four-day tournament.
But Azhar then had to spend more than two days in the field in batter-friendly conditions as Northern replied with 651-9 declared from 197.1 overs.
Seven players scored 50 plus in their first innings, including top-scorer Sarmad Bhatti (140).
Azhar had time to pick up a wicket with his leg spin, and he finished with 1-37 before the game ended in a draw.
