Karachi Region Blues moved to the brink of qualification for the National T20 Cup after registering a five-wicket victory over AJK Region in match 13 of the National T20 Cup Qualifier played at the Gaddafi Stadium in Lahore.
Chasing a target of 153, Karachi Blues were guided by captain Ghazi Ghori, who led from the front with a composed 50 off 37 balls, striking seven fours at a strike rate of 135.14 to steer his side home with seven balls to spare.
After being asked to bat, AJK made a brisk start, racing to 42 without loss in 4.1 overs. However, momentum shifted sharply once Wahaj Riaz, the eventual player of the match, struck twice in consecutive deliveries.
Wahaj removed Hasan Raza for a rapid 22 off 13 balls and then dismissed Aamer Nazir for a golden duck, reducing AJK to 42 for two. Wahaj finished with figures of 3 for 20, earning his second consecutive player-of-the-match award.
Top-scorer Hasnain Nadeem held the innings together with a measured 59 off 52 balls, sharing partnerships with Umar Hayat and later Arsalan Mehzood, whose 28 off 21 balls helped AJK cross the 120-run mark.
AJK’s lower middle order added late runs, pushing the total to 152 for seven. On debut, left-arm spinner Rehman Ghani delivered an impressive spell, claiming three wickets for 24 runs in four overs at an economy rate of 6.00, providing crucial control through the middle phase.
Karachi’s reply got off to a shaky start as they slipped to 34 for two inside the powerplay, losing both openers within 11 balls. AJK pacer Faizan Saleem led the early resistance, removing Jahanzaib Sultan and Ahsan Ali on his way to figures of 3 for 21.
Stability arrived through Mohammad Taha and Ghazi Ghori, who added 38 for the third wicket. After Taha’s dismissal, Ghazi combined with Mohammad Usman Rahim in a decisive 58-run partnership, effectively taking the game away from AJK.
Ghazi was dismissed in the 19th over, but a calm late cameo from Wahaj Riaz ensured there were no further alarms as Karachi Blues reached 153 for five in 18.5 overs.
The victory keeps Karachi Blues unbeaten with six points from three matches, leaving them just one win away from qualification for the main round of the National T20 Cup in Peshawar.
If Karachi defeat Islamabad in their next fixture, both Karachi teams will secure places in the National T20 Cup proper.
Scores in brief:
AJK Region 152-7 (20 overs)
Karachi Region Blues 153-5 (18.5 overs)
Karachi Region Blues won by five wickets
