Karachi Blues lifted the Quaid-e-Azam Trophy on Friday after overpowering defending champions Sialkot by a massive 218 runs in the five-day final at Gaddafi Stadium.
Set an imposing target of 533 runs, Sialkot were dismissed for 314 on the final day. The victory marks Karachi Blues’ 10th title, while teams from Karachi have now won the prestigious tournament 22 times.
Sialkot resumed the morning session at 12 without loss, needing another 521 runs. Their chase faltered early when Saqib Khan trapped Azan Owais lbw for 11 at 35. Mohammad Hurairah followed after scoring 39, caught by Saad Baig off Mohammad Umar with the total at 81.
Abdul Rehman added 18 before falling to Abdullah Fazal, taking Sialkot to 121 for three. The slide continued as Mohsin Riaz (6) and Abdullah Shafiq (59) were both removed by Saqib Khan, leaving the defending champions struggling at 144.
Afzal Manzoor led a brief resistance, striking 63 off 13 boundaries, adding 112 runs with Hamza Nazar for the sixth wicket. Rameez Aziz broke the partnership by dismissing Afzal, while Hamza scored 56 before being caught off Mushtaq Ahmed, making it 281 for seven.
Hasan Ali contributed 25 before becoming Mushtaq Ahmed’s second victim at 304. Saqib Khan then wrapped up the innings, taking the ninth and tenth wickets — dismissing Muhammad Ali (6) and bowling Hasnain for a duck — to finish with figures of 5 for 86. Having claimed four wickets in the first innings, Saqib ended the tournament with an impressive tally of 47 wickets.
Abdullah Fazal was named Player of the Match for his crucial knocks of 88 and 114 in Karachi Blues’ two innings.
