KARACHI: Karachi enjoyed a memorable round in the Quaid-e-Azam Trophy, with both the Blues and Whites securing emphatic victories courtesy of performances from Mohammad Asghar and Saifullah Bangash, respectively.
Asghar had a memorable match haul of 14 wickets, while Saifullah Bangash’s unbeaten century set up the Whites’ win over AJK.
If ever there was a one-man demolition job, Mohammad Asghar provided it. The left-arm spinner claimed 6 for 68 in the first innings and an even more lethal 8 for 117 in the second, finishing with 14 wickets in the match to spearhead Karachi Blues’ nine-wicket victory.
Rawalpindi, after being bowled out for 184, were immediately under pressure. Asghar was relentless, spinning through the middle order, supported by Ashiq Ali’s 3 for 51. Karachi responded with authority, piling up 425, anchored by Omair Bin Yousuf’s fluent 100 off 138 balls and Abdullah Fazal’s aggressive 97 off 98.
Though Rawalpindi’s Abdul Faseeh (91) and Mubasir Khan (88)* fought hard in the second innings to push the total to 285, Asghar was unplayable, bagging eight more wickets. Karachi needed just 46 to win, and knocked it off in under six overs, with Omair (19*) and Haroon Arshad (20*) easing them home.
Bangash Starred for Whites
At Multan, it was Saifullah Bangash’s unbeaten 110 that laid the platform for Karachi Whites’ victory, ably supported by Muhammad Taha’s gritty 98. Their efforts propelled the Whites to a commanding 450 for 8 declared.
AJK fought back through captain Hassan Raza, who scored 80 in the first innings and 78 in the second, while Hasnain Shamir contributed with fifties in both innings. But the Whites’ bowling unit always found a way. Rehman Ghani’s five-for (5 for 50) and Aftab Khan’s 3 for 43 ensured AJK were bowled out for 175 in the first innings, leaving them with a mountain to climb.
In the second innings, Maaz Khurram (3 for 67) and Aftab again made breakthroughs as AJK reached 320, setting Karachi a small target. Despite a few hiccups, the Whites knocked off the runs at 47 for 4, sealing a six-wicket win.
Dominating Performance
For the Blues, Asghar’s 14-for was a performance for the ages, complemented by centuries from OmairYousuf and Abdullah Fazal’s near miss. For the Whites, Bangash’s unbeaten 110 and Taha’s 98 stood out in a composed batting effort, while their bowlers hunted in packs.
With both Karachi sides recording victories in the same round, the city’s charge in the domestic season has gathered real momentum.
