Rizwan's double ton puts Peshawar Blues in command

Star player hits 200 not out against Faisalabad in QT

Peshawar Blues captain Mohammad Rizwan struck a brilliant unbeaten double century to put his side in a commanding position on the second day of the Quaid-e-Azam Trophy Gold tournament on Wednesday.

Rizwan finished on 200 not out off 391 balls, hitting 35 fours and a six, as Peshawar declared their first innings at 503-4 against Faisalabad at Abbottabad Cricket Stadium.

Resuming at 306-3, Rizwan and Najab Khan continued their substantial partnership. Najab eventually departed for 133, having struck 25 boundaries and a six, while Mohammad Haris provided late support with an unbeaten 70.

Faisalabad’s Asad Raza and Mudasar Zunair claimed two wickets apiece.

In reply, Faisalabad reached 118-2 at stumps, with Mohammad Adnan dismissing Faham-ul-Haq for 31 and Sameer Saqif for 25.

At Diamond Cricket Ground in Islamabad, Lahore Whites were dismissed for 234 in reply to FATA’s 362. Aamir Jamal top-scored with 71, while Ali Zaryab made 51. Shaheen Shah Afridi and Afaq Afridi took three wickets each for FATA, who closed on 22-1.

Hamza Aziz claimed six wickets for Lahore after FATA resumed on 311-6, finishing with 6-97. Earlier, Fawad Arshad had led FATA’s innings with 91.

At the National Ground Islamabad, Karachi Blues were bowled out for 280 after resuming on 9-1. Muhammad Gazi Ghori scored 88, while captain Rameez made 49. Athar Mehmood took 3-72 for Sialkot Blues, with Hasan Ali and Hamza Nazar claimed two wickets each.

Multan reached 249-7 against Islamabad, taking a 34-run lead after the visitors were dismissed for 215.

Iram Rafiq was unbeaten on 93 and Sharoon Siraj made 82. Musa Khan took three wickets for Islamabad.

On the opening day, Peshawar had been lifted by centuries from Rizwan and Najab, while Sialkot Blues’ Mohammad Huraira also scored a hundred against defending champions Karachi Blues.