KARACHI: The Hanif Mohammad Trophy 2025 begins tomorrow, Friday, 29 August, across four cities of Pakistan, as 12 regional sides embark on a month-long battle for qualification into the country’s premier domestic competition, the Quaid-e-Azam Trophy 2025-26.

For Karachi, both the Blues and Whites carry a weight of expectation, knowing that only the top two teams from each group will book their place in first-class cricket’s most prestigious stage.

This year, the stakes are higher than ever. With 10 Quaid-e-Azam Trophy teams already confirmed, the Hanif Mohammad Trophy provides the final two qualification berths, making it a proving ground for fringe cricketers and a springboard for younger players aiming to step into Pakistan’s elite domestic circuit.

Karachi Whites – Balancing Youth and Experience

The Karachi Whites, captained by wicketkeeper-batter Saifullah Bangash, will open their campaign against Hyderabad at the Abbasia Sports Complex, Rahim Yar Khan.

• The Whites have shown promise in recent seasons, with Bangash’s leadership complemented by a squad that blends seasoned domestic performers and emerging youth.
• Saifullah Bangash brings reliability behind the stumps and calm decision-making at the crease.
• Aarish Ali Khan, a standout with 18 wickets in last year’s Hanif Trophy, will lead the spin department.
• Middle-order batters Muhammad Taha and SaadBaig, both consistent run-scorers at U19 and Grade-II levels, are expected to anchor key innings.

Head coach Saeed Bin Nasir adds another dimension to the squad’s preparation. With recent experience guiding a Pakistan T20I training camp in Karachi and being part of PCB’s Level-2 coaching structure, Saeed has worked closely with players at the highest level. His tactical input and technical refinement skills will be vital for helping young cricketers adapt quickly to four-day cricket and perform under pressure.

Squad:

Saifullah Bangash (captain & wicket-keeper), Aarish Ali Khan, Abdul Basit, Afdan Khan, Aftab Khan, Asad Akhter, Haroon Arshad, Jahanzaib Sultan, Maaz Khuram Amin, Muhammad Raza, Muhammad Taha, Muhammad Usman, Naveed Ahmed Khan, SaadBaig (wicket-keeper) and Shah Raza

Karachi Blues – Stability Under Saud Shakeel

In Group B, the Karachi Blues begin their journey at home, facing Multan at the SBP Sports Complex. With a squad brimming with national and domestic stars, the Blues are widely regarded as one of the strongest teams in the tournament.

Led by Test vice-captain Saud Shakeel, who averaged 44.12 with three half-centuries in the 2024-25 domestic season, the Blues will rely heavily on their skipper’s stability and calm batting under pressure.

• Omair Bin Yousuf, the in-form opener, who piled up 742 runs at an average of 49.46 last season.
• Danish Aziz, one of Karachi’s most reliable all-rounders, capable of changing the game with both bat and ball.
• Mir Hamza, fresh from a 31-wicket haul at 20.93 in the Quaid-e-Azam Trophy, brings experience and leadership to the pace attack.
• Khawaja Nafay, a rising star in Pakistan’s white-ball circuit, showcased his promise with an impressive 91.4 strike rate in the Pakistan Cup.

Head coach Iqbal Imam brings a wealth of experience to the dugout. Having won multiple domestic tournaments, coached the Pakistan women’s national team, and worked extensively at the grassroots level, Imam is among the most respected coaches in the competition. His proven ability to blend senior professionals with emerging talent will be key in helping the Blues manage the demands of a tight tournament schedule.

Squad:

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

Why the Hanif Mohammad Trophy Matters

The Hanif Mohammad Trophy was introduced as a pathway competition, ensuring deserving regional teams have a chance to qualify for the Quaid-e-Azam Trophy, Pakistan’s highest first-class stage. For Karachi cricket, which has a proud history of producing international stars, this tournament carries special weight.

A strong performance from both Karachi sides could see the city secure both remaining slots, reaffirming its position as the heartbeat of domestic cricket. Failure, however, would mean missing out on the Quaid-e-Azam Trophy — an outcome unthinkable for Karachi’s cricketing fraternity.

Round 1 Fixtures (29 Aug – 1 Sep)

Group A:

Faisalabad vs Lahore Blues (Multan)

Hyderabad vs Karachi Whites (Rahim Yar Khan)

Quetta vs AJK (Bahawalpur)

Group B:

Rawalpindi vs FATA (National Bank Stadium, Karachi)

Karachi Blues vs Multan (SBP Sports Complex, Karachi)

Dera Murad Jamali vs Larkana (UBL Sports Complex, Karachi)

Karachi’s Double Bid

With the Whites’ youthful energy under Saeed Bin Nasir and the Blues’ star power guided by Iqbal Imam, Karachi enters the Hanif Mohammad Trophy with high hopes of securing not one, but both qualification spots. As the competition begins tomorrow, the city’s cricket fans will be eager to see if their teams can rise to the challenge and carry Karachi’s dominance forward into the Quaid-e-Azam Trophy 2025-26.