Lahore, December 5, 2025: Karachi Blues powered their way to a comprehensive 218-run victory over defending champions Sialkot in the Quaid-e-Azam Trophy (QEAT) 2025-26 final at the Gaddafi Stadium on Friday, courtesy of Saqib Khan’s five-wicket haul and centuries from Abdullah Fazal and Haroon Arshad.
Chasing a monumental 533-run target, Sialkot resumed the final day at 12/0, with openers Mohammad Hurraira and Azan Awais attempting to steady the innings. The partnership added just 23 runs before Saqib Khan trapped Azan lbw, giving Karachi the first breakthrough.
Test batter Abdullah Shafique, walking in at No.3, anchored Sialkot’s chase with a brisk 59 off 98 balls, featuring five fours and a six. He shared brief partnerships with Hurraira (39), Abdul Rehman (18), and Mohsin Riaz (6) before falling to Saqib.
Middle-order batters Hamza Nazar and wicketkeeper Afzal Manzoor staged a valiant fight with a 112-run sixth-wicket stand, but quick dismissals left Sialkot’s tail exposed. Afzal top-scored with a blistering 63 off 48 balls, while Hamza contributed 56 off 84 deliveries. Pakistan Test pacer Hasan Ali added a late 25 off 27 balls, showing resistance against Karachi’s attack.
Saqib Khan completed a magnificent performance with 5/86, sweeping through Sialkot’s tail to bowl them out for 314 in 71.1 overs. He received support from Mushtaq Ahmed and Rameez Aziz, who took two wickets each, while Mohammad Umar claimed one.
Karachi Blues’ dominant display, highlighted by stellar batting and clinical bowling, secured them the Quaid-e-Azam Trophy title in emphatic fashion.
