Karachi Blues crush Sialkot to win QEAT 2025-26 title

LAHORE: Saqib Khan’s five-wicket haul in the second innings after centuries from Abdullah Fazal and Haroon Arshad powered Karachi Blues to thump defending champions Sialkot by 218 runs in the Quaid-e-Azam Trophy (QEAT) 2025-26 final here at the Gaddafi Stadium on Friday.

Set to chase a humongous 533-run target, Sialkot resumed their pursuit at the commencement of the final day from 12/0 through openers Mohammad Hurraira and Azan Awais. The opening pair could add 23 more to their overnight partnership as Saqib trapped Azan lbw to draw the first breakthrough for the nine-time champions.

Walked out to bat at No.3, Test batter Abdullah Shafique took the reins of Sialkot’s run chase with a brisk half-century. He was involved in brief partnerships with Hurraira (39), Abdul Rehman (18) and Mohsin Riaz (six) until falling victim to Saqib after scoring 59 off 98 deliveries with the help of five fours and a six. Following his departure, Hamza Nazar and wicketkeeper batter Afzal Manzoor attempted to force recovery by putting together a brisk 112-run partnership for the sixth wicket, but both perished in quick succession, exposing Sialkot’s batting tail. Afzal remained the top-scorer for Sialkot in the second innings with a blistering 48-ball 63, while Hamza made 56 off 84 deliveries. Pakistan’s Test pacer Hasan Ali then offered a notable fightback against Karachi Blues’ bowling attack with a 27-ball 25 before Saqib swept through their batting tail to finish with magnificent bowling figures of 5/86 as Sialkot were bowled for 314 in 71.1 overs. The right-arm pacer was supported by Mushtaq Ahmed and Rameez Aziz, who bagged two wickets each, while Mohammad Umar chipped in with one. Staff Report