Karachi Whites dominate Quetta, Blues fall to FATA in Hanif Mohammad Trophy.
The second round of the Hanif Mohammad Trophy 2025 brought mixed fortunes for Karachi’s two regional outfits, as Karachi Whites overwhelmed Quetta with a batting masterclass, while Karachi Blues slipped to a five-wicket defeat against FATA.
At the UBL Sports Complex, Karachi Blues endured a tough outing against a determined FATA side, eventually losing by five wickets.
Blues batted first and were bundled out for 220 in 70.2 overs. Usman Khan fought hard for his 55 off 129 deliveries, while all-rounder Danish Aziz chipped in with 40 off 78 balls. FATA’s left-arm spinner Asif Afridi ran through the batting with superb figures of 6/49, supported by Mohammad Wasim’s 2/60.
FATA, however, couldn’t capitalise and were dismissed for 165 in reply, thanks largely to Danish Aziz’s brilliance with the ball (5/40) and Tariq Khan’s 3/61. Wasim (41) and wicketkeeper RehanAfridi (36 off 41) provided resistance, but Blues clawed their way back.
The second innings saw Blues again struggle to post a commanding total, bowled out for 214. Youngster Ghazi Ghori top-scored with a fluent 73 off 96 balls, while Danish Aziz continued his fine form with a patient 56 off 130 deliveries. FATA bowlers shared the wickets, with Shahid Aziz (3/30) and Wasim (3/32)** striking at crucial stages.
Chasing 270, FATA’s batsmen held their nerve. SarwarAfridi smashed 59 off 65 balls, while Wasim Khan’s gritty 48 off 159 deliveries anchored the innings. They reached the target at 270/5, sealing a deserved five-wicket win and leaving Blues searching for answers.
Whites’ batting brilliance
In Rahim Yar Khan, Karachi Whites produced one of the standout batting performances of the tournament so far, dominating Quetta to take complete control of the match.
Quetta, batting first, were dismissed for 216, unable to cope with Whites’ disciplined bowling attack. But the story of the game came in Karachi’s reply, as the Whites piled on 542/7 declared in 126.2 overs, powered by three exceptional centuries.
Mirza SaadBaig led the charge with a magnificent 146 off 215 balls, his innings laced with 26 boundaries and a six. Batting with confidence against the likes of Quetta’s experienced bowlers, Baig once again proved why he is one of Karachi’s brightest prospects.
He was brilliantly supported by Jahanzaib Sultan, who struck a fluent 118 off 154 deliveries, mixing elegance with aggression. Skipper SaifullahBangash added the finishing touch with an unbeaten 100 off just 119 balls, ensuring Karachi Whites not only overhauled Quetta’s total but also built a mammoth lead.
For Quetta, Najeebullah (3/107) and Bakhtiar Ahmed (2/110) worked tirelessly but had little support.
Quetta’s second innings, however, saw a spirited fightback. Salahuddin stood tall with 95 off 187 balls, narrowly missing a century, while captain Abdul Wahid Bangulzai chipped in with a composed 53 off 100 balls. By stumps on Day 3, Quetta had reached 214/3, still trailing by 112 runs. For Whites, Jahanzaib Sultan (1/10) and MaazKhurram (1/44) claimed late wickets to keep their side firmly on top.
Karachi’s contrasting fortunes
The results left Karachi Whites brimming with confidence after a record-breaking batting display, while Karachi Blues will need to regroup quickly after their defeat to FATA. The standout performances of SaadBaig, Jahanzaib Sultan, and SaifullahBangash underline the depth of talent in the Whites’ ranks, whereas Blues can take heart from the all-round brilliance of Danish Aziz and the promise of youngster Ghazi Ghori.
As the Hanif Mohammad Trophy progresses, Karachi’s twin teams remain in the hunt, though with sharply different trajectories after this round.
