The Hanif Mohammad Trophy produced two contrasting results for Karachi’s sides as both matches wrapped up inside three days. Karachi Blues were clinical in all departments to crush Larkana by an innings and 134 runs, while Karachi Whites slumped to a heavy 257-run defeat against Lahore despite flashes of resistance.
Rameez’s brilliance, Hamza’s firepower
At the State Bank Sports Complex, Karachi Blues asserted dominance right from the opening day. Rameez Aziz stole the show with a scintillating 150 off just 130 balls, studded with nine fours and nine towering sixes. His fireworks laid the foundation for a commanding total, with Saud Shakeel (54) and Muhammad Ghazi Ghori (29) chipping in. The Blues posted 335 in only 63.3 overs.
Larkana’s reply never threatened to match Karachi’s firepower. Mir Hamza spearheaded the attack with 4 for 18, while Muhammad Hamza (3 for 41) and Saqib (2 for 22) maintained relentless pressure. Larkana folded meekly for 81 in their first innings.
Following on, Mushtaq Ahmed tried counter-attacking with a brisk 39 off 28 balls, but there was no escaping the Blues’ seam onslaught. Mir Hamza (another four-wicket haul) and Muhammad Hamza combined again to run through the batting, dismissing Larkana for just 120 in 35.1 overs. Karachi Blues sealed a resounding victory by an innings and 134 runs.
It was a statement win for the Blues, built on Rameez’s sparkling century and Mir Hamza’s nine wickets across both innings — a performance that keeps them firmly in contention for qualification.
Whites undone by Lahore’s dominance
At Rahim Yar Khan, Karachi Whites’ struggles continued. Lahore Blues posted 297 in their first innings, built on near-centuries from Umar Siddique (94) and Muhammad Mohsin (95). Aftab Khan (3 for 35) and Rehman Ghani (3 for 68) were the pick of Karachi’s bowlers.
The Whites’ reply was short-lived as Aamir Jamal ran riot with 6 for 35, aided by Abubakar (2 for 12), bundling Karachi out for just 94 in 32.1 overs. Abdul Basit (19) and SaifullahBangash (14) offered brief resistance but couldn’t prevent a massive deficit.
Lahore strengthened their grip in the second innings with Imran Butt’s classy 102 off 196 balls and Umar Siddique’s 63 guiding them to 257. MaazKhurram provided a rare highlight for Karachi with a brilliant spell, bagging 3 for 30 including a memorable hat-trick, while Aftab Khan added 3 for 32.
Chasing a monumental target, Karachi Whites showed some fight. Shah Raza Naqvi counter-attacked with 44 off 43 balls, while Muhammad Taha (33), Muhammad Raza (32), and SaifullahBangash (27) tried to rebuild. But Lahore’s Sajjad Khan (5 for 56) and Aamir Jamal (2 for 28) dismantled the lineup, bowling them out for 203 and sealing a crushing 257-run win.
The double round ended in stark contrast for Karachi’s teams. The Blues surged to third place in Group B after a commanding all-round win, powered by Rameez’s century and Mir Hamza’s nine-wicket haul. The Whites, however, remain plagued by fragile batting and lapses in temperament, despite MaazKhurram’s hat-trick standing out as a rare positive.
With the tournament heating up, Karachi Blues look primed for a strong qualification push, while Karachi Whites must regroup quickly to salvage their campaign.
