KARACHI: It’s crunch time in the Quaid-e-Azam Trophy race, and Karachi’s two representative sides head into the coming round with very different agendas. At the UBL Sports Complex, Karachi Blues face Rawalpindi in a must-win encounter that could define their season.

In Multan, Karachi Whites meet Azad Jammu and Kashmir (AJK), looking to finish strongly against a side powered by one of the tournament’s most exciting fast bowlers.

Karachi Blues vs Rawalpindi

For Saud Shakeel’s Blues, the equation is straightforward but demanding: win, and win big. An innings victory would give them a very bright chance of qualifying for the Quaid-e-Azam Trophy, making this a high-stakes fixture.

The Blues’ strength lies in their seasoned middle order and a potent seam attack. Saud Shakeel’s experience and calm presence adds steel, while Omair Bin Yousuf and Ramiz Aziz offer runs in the top and middle order. All-rounders like Danish Aziz and Haroon Arshad bring balance.

With the ball, Mir Hamza’s consistency at the new-ball end remains a decisive weapon. He will be partnered by Mohammad Hamza, whose wicket-taking spells have kept Karachi competitive throughout the campaign. left-arm spinner Mohammad Azghar is another option to break partnerships in the middle overs.

Rawalpindi, meanwhile, arrives with a squad brimming with youth and firepower. Captain Kashif Ali and the talented Abdul Faseeh headline the batting, while Nasir Nawaz and Yasir Khan add explosiveness at the top. In the all-round department, Mubasir Khan has been a standout, combining gritty batting with useful off-spin. Left-arm spinner Mehran Mumtaz and seamer Aqib Shah provide the cutting edge with the ball.

For Karachi, the challenge will be to impose dominance early, bat big, and let their bowlers hunt in packs. Anything short of a commanding win could leave their qualification hopes hanging by a thread.

Karachi Whites vs AJK

While the Blues fight for survival, the Whites under Saifullah Bangash will look to showcase depth and resilience against AJK in Multan. Their campaign has unearthed consistent performers in both batting and bowling departments.

Muhammad Taha has been a reliable presence at the top of the order, while Shah Raza’s attacking stroke-play has added much-needed impetus in the middle overs. Captain Saifullah Bangash, along with young keeper SaadBaig, provides dual strength behind the stumps and in the lower middle order. With the ball, Aftab Khan’s steady returns and Maaz Khurram Amin’s knack for breakthroughs have made them a competitive outfit.

AJK, though, come armed with the in-form Zaman Khan. The right-arm quick has been one of the standout bowlers in the competition, his skiddy pace and ability to strike with the new ball making him a constant threat. Skipper Hasan Raza anchors the batting, with Adil Azad and Faizan Saleem offering stability in the top order. The contest in Multan may hinge on how Karachi’s top order handles Zaman’s opening bursts.

The spotlight will firmly be on the Blues at the UBL Sports Complex, where the equation demands not just victory but dominance. For the Whites, the clash in Multan is about testing themselves against quality opposition and ensuring their younger players end the season on a high.

Either way, Karachi’s twin fixtures this week could define how the city’s cricketing narrative unfolds in the next phase of Pakistan’s domestic season.

Squads

Karachi Region Whites

Saifullah Bangash (captain & wicket-keeper), Aarish Ali Khan, Abdul Basit, SaifUllah, Aftab Khan, Asad Akhter, Jahanzaib Sultan, Khawaja Mohammed Nafay, Maaz Khuram Amin, Muhammad Raza, Muhammad Taha, Muhammad Usman, Rehman Ghani, SaadBaig (wicket-keeper) and Shah Raza

Head coach: Saeed Bin Nasir

Karachi Region Blues

Saud Shakeel (captain), Abdullah Fazal, Mohammad Azghar, Ashiq Ali, Danish Aziz, Haroon Arshad, Mir Hamza, Mohammad Hamza, Muhammad Ghazi Ghori (wicket-keeper), Muhammad Umar, Omair Bin Yousuf, Ramiz Aziz, Saqib Khan, Tariq Khan and Usman Khan

Head coach: Iqbal Imam

Azad Jammu and Kashmir Region

Hasan Raza (captain), Adil Azad, Aqib Liaqat, Arslan, AwaisAkram (wicket-keeper), FaizanSaleem, Hamad Islam, Hasnain Shamir, Husnain Nadeem, Jawad Imtiaz, Mahzood, Nadeem Khalil, Saad Asif, Saqlain Ghani, Umar Hayat and Zaman Khan

Head coach: Nadeem Afzal

Rawalpindi Region

Kashif Ali (captain), AbdurRehman, Abdul Faseeh, Affan Ishaq, Aqib Shah, Atif Khan, Imran Khan, Mazhar Hussain, Mehran Mumtaz, Mohammad Faizan, Mubasir Khan, Muhammad Awais Anwar, Nasir Nawaz, Taimoor Khan (wicket-keeper) and Yasir Khan

Head coach: Afaq Raheem