Karachi cricket will once again be represented in Pakistan’s premier first-class competition as Karachi Blues sealed qualification for the 2025-26 Quaid-e-Azam Trophy, finishing second in Group B of the Hanif Mohammad Trophy with 96 points.
They join FATA, Faisalabad and Multan as the four sides elevated from the second-tier competition after the PCB expanded the tournament from eight to ten teams.
For head coach Iqbal Imam and his assistant Tahir Mahmood, this was vindication of a campaign that blended senior domestic performers with promising talent. Under the captaincy of Saud Shakeel, Blues won three of their five games, playing a brand of cricket that was disciplined with the ball and bold with the bat.
The standout performance came in the final round, when left-arm spinner Mohammad Asghar tore through Rawalpindi with 14 wickets in the match (6 for 68 and 8 for 117). It was a match-defining spell that not only secured victory by nine wickets but also sealed qualification.
The attack revolved around Asghar and the experienced Mir Hamza, whose incisive spells with the new ball repeatedly dented opposition’s top orders. When Hamza was sidelined through injury, Fahad Amin stepped up admirably, ensuring Karachi never lost its edge. Young pacer Mohammad Umar also emerged as a key contributor, providing pace and breakthroughs in pressure situations.
Runs galore from Ramiz, Umair, and Usman
On the batting front, the Blues leaned heavily on Ramiz Aziz, who finished as their leading run-getter with 376 runs in five matches, setting the tone at the top of the order. His consistency was matched by Umair Bin Yousuf, who struck a century against Rawalpindi, and Usman Khan, whose aggressive stroke-play gave Karachi quick starts.
All-rounder Danish Aziz continued to prove his worth with crucial middle-order runs and handy overs, while skipper Saud Shakeel’s calm presence added stability in tight situations.
Karachi Whites finish third
Elsewhere, Karachi Whites ended third in Group A, closing their campaign with two wins. Their highlight came through Saifullah Bangash’s unbeaten 110 and a gritty 98 from Muhammad Taha, but inconsistency kept them from a qualification spot.
With Karachi Blues’ qualification confirmed, city cricket regains a foothold at the very top. From Asghar’s 14-wicket haul to Ramiz Aziz’s 376 runs, the Blues showcased the depth of Karachi’s talent pool. As the Quaid-e-Azam Trophy welcomes 10 teams this season, Karachi will arrive not just as qualifiers but as genuine contenders.
