Karachi Blues registered a dominant seven-wicket victory over Quetta Region in their National T20 Cup 2024-25 clash at Iqbal Stadium on Monday night.
Batting first, Quetta Region posted a competitive total of 138 for 9 in their allotted 20 overs. Opener Yasir Khan provided a quick start with 24 off 15 balls, including four boundaries.
Wicketkeeper-batter Haseebullah anchored the innings with a 42-ball 46, featuring six boundaries, before being run out by Abdullah Fazal in a crucial breakthrough for Karachi.
Captain Abdul Wahid Bangalzai contributed 15 off 18 balls but fell to Rameez Aziz while attempting to accelerate the scoring.
Mohammad Ibrahim Snr added a brisk 18 off 21 balls before being run out, while the lower order struggled to make an impact. Mohammad Junaid (2), Bismillah Khan (1), and Sajid Khan (6) were dismissed cheaply.
Mohammad Asghar was the standout bowler for Karachi, claiming four wickets to dismantle Quetta's middle order. Fahad Amin, Rameez Aziz, and Mohammad Hamza took a wicket each, while two dismissals came via run-outs.
In response, Karachi Blues comfortably chased the 139-run target in 16.4 overs.
Despite losing opener Jahanzeb Sultan for a duck to Sajid Khan, Abdullah Fazal led the counterattack with a fluent 40 off 29 balls, striking seven boundaries at a strike rate of 137.93 before falling to Mohammad Junaid.
Muhammad Ghazi Ghori struggled, managing just 5 off 12 balls, but Saifullah Bangash (36 off 26) and Rameez Aziz (56* off 30) ensured a smooth chase.
Aziz's explosive knock, laced with five fours and four sixes at a staggering strike rate of 186.67, sealed the victory.
For Quetta, Mohammad Junaid took 1/32 in 3.4 overs, while Sajid Khan and Mohammad Ibrahim Snr chipped in with a wicket each. Despite their efforts, Karachi Blues secured a convincing win.
Sialkot down Multan
ialkot secured a crucial victory over Multan in the National T20 Cup at Gaddafi Stadium on Monday night, courtesy of vital innings from Abdullah Shafique and skipper Shoaib Malik.
After being put in to bat first, Multan Region posted a total of 147/8 in their allotted 20 overs.
Their innings was anchored by Muhammad Shahzad, who played a crucial knock of 55 runs off 42 balls, striking seven fours at a rate of 130.95.
Imam-ul-Haq also contributed significantly, scoring 41 off 33 balls, including three fours and one six.
Multan's innings saw regular wickets fall, with the first breakthrough coming at 22, leaving them struggling at 72/4.
However, a late flourish from Waseem Akram Jnr, who smashed 27 off 17 balls at a strike rate of 158.82, helped them reach a competitive total.
For Sialkot, Hasan Ali was the standout bowler, claiming three wickets. Ali Raza picked up two wickets, while Usama Mir and Bilawal Bhatti chipped in with one each.
Chasing 148, Sialkot successfully reached the target in 19.3 overs at a run rate of 7.59. Abdullah Shafique played a stellar innings, scoring 57 runs off 41 balls, including five fours and two sixes, at a strike rate of 139.02.
Captain Shoaib Malik provided solid support with a crucial 43 off 33 balls at a strike rate of 130.30, hitting five fours and one six.
Openers Mirza Tahir Baig (14 off 19) and Mohammad Huraira (10 off 12) provided a cautious start. Ahsan Hafeez Bhatti added quick runs with a cameo of 9 off 5 balls at a strike rate of 180.
However, the lower order struggled, as Usama Mir (2 off 3), Bilawal Bhatti (0 off 1), and Mohsin Riaz (0 off 10) failed to make an impact.
Wicketkeeper-batter Afzal Manzoor remained unbeaten on 6 off 4 balls, alongside Mohsin Riaz, ensuring Sialkot completed the chase.
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