Karachi Blues moved to within touching distance of the Quaid-e-Azam Trophy title after a commanding batting display on the penultimate day of the final against Sialkot at Gaddafi Stadium, powered by centuries from Abdullah Fazal and Haroon Arshad, and a composed seventy from Shan Masood.
By stumps, Sialkot were 12 without loss, still needing 521 runs on the final day — a mountain that only a miracle could scale.
Karachi, already ahead on first innings and therefore favourites in the event of a draw, batted with clarity and intent to all but shut Sialkot out of the contest.
The day belonged first to Abdullah Fazal, who turned his first-innings disappointment — dismissed for 88 — into fuel for a breakthrough performance. His 114, laced with 13 boundaries, was a statement innings at exactly the stage Karachi needed stability and control. Calm in defence and fluent in strokeplay, Abdullah’s maiden hundred of the season arrived at the perfect time.
If Abdullah set the tone, Haroon Arshad ensured Karachi’s dominance stretched long into the afternoon. Playing his debut first-class season, Haroon produced a polished 116, adding to the century he scored in his maiden appearance earlier in the tournament. His ability to rotate strike and punish anything loose kept Sialkot’s bowlers under constant pressure, showcasing maturity well beyond his experience.
At the other end, Karachi’s senior-most batter, Shan Masood, added a pivotal 76 off 107 balls, using all his years of domestic and international cricket to guide the younger pair at crucial phases. His innings was the glue of Karachi’s effort — steady, composed and perfectly attuned to match situation.
Sialkot’s captain Usama Mir was the standout for his side with a five-wicket haul, but he fought a lone battle as Karachi stretched their lead to a colossal 532 runs before being bowled out for 458.
With Sialkot needing 533 runs to win and Karachi holding the decisive first-innings advantage, the trophy is firmly within reach for Saud Shakeel’s men. Only one day remains for Sialkot to conjure something extraordinary — or for Karachi to complete a richly deserved domestic title.
