Lahore, 5 October 2023: Ahmed Shehzad hit a wonderful double-century to take his side to a mammoth total of 568 runs in the first innings at Gaddafi Stadium Lahore, against Peshawar, on the second day of round five of the QeAT 2023-2024. Multan’s Zahid Mehmood took a five-wicket-haul to dismiss Karachi Whites for 196, ensuring that his side carries the lead into the second innings at the Shoaib Akhtar Cricket Stadium, Rawalpindi. Unsatisfactory batting by the Rawalpindi line-up led to a follow-on being enforced at Pindi Stadium, where Lahore Blues remained dominant. Faisalabad’s Khurram Shehzad took a six-fer to push FATA on the backfoot at Abbottabad Cricket Stadium.
Lahore Whites v Peshawar at Gaddafi Stadium, Lahore:
Lahore Whites resumed their innings from 375 for two at Gaddafi Stadium on the second day of play in the fifth round of the Quaid e Azam Trophy 2023-2024.Veteran Ahmed Shehzad scored a double century (253, 409b, 30x4s, 1x6) which plummeted Lahore to 568 runs.
Umar Akmal, who made his first-class comeback, scored 64 runs from 140 balls, including seven boundaries and a maximum. Mehran Ibrahim, with a five-fer, brought respite for Peshawar, who were otherwise subjected to the batting onslaught brought forward by the Lahore Whites’ batters.
Peshawar, in response, managed to put up 76 for one in the 16 overs when stumps were drawn. Skipper Sahibzada Farhan (33 not out, 48b, 6x4s) and Waqar Ahmed Sr (29 not out, 37b, 4x4s) remained at the crease. Asadullah, who got one wicket, was the only wicket-taker for Lahore.
Multan v Karachi Whites at Shoaib Akhtar Cricket Stadium, Rawalpindi:
At Shoaib Akhtar Cricket Stadium Rawalpindi, Karachi Whites resumed their innings from 86 for five. Saim Ayub (40, 62b, 9x4s) remained the second highest scorer for the side as they were bowled out for 194, trailing by 26 runs as Multan had scored 220 in their first innings.
Tabish Khan, who scored an undefeated 38 from 63 balls including three boundaries and two sixes. Mir Hamza also contributed with the bat, scoring 36 runs in 69 balls, hitting two boundaries and two maximums. Zahid Mehmood picked up a five-wicket-haul. He was supported by Ali Usman, who bagged four wickets.
Owing to the performances produced by Imran Rafiq (70, 147b, 12x4s) and Sharoon Siraj (60 not out, 142b, 8x4s, 1x6), Multan got to 169 in the 59.1 overs they batted. Asad Shafiq, Noman Ali and Ghulam Mudassar each got a wicket.
Rawalpindi v Lahore Blues at Pindi Cricket Stadium, Rawalpindi:
Lahore Blues, at Pindi Cricket Stadium, started their day at 359 for four. They lost six wickets early in the day while only adding 37 runs to the total. The two centurions, Hussain Talat (104, 178b, 12x4s, 1x6) and Junaid Ali (102, 189b, 14x4s), were the highlight of the innings that ended with 396 runs on the board.
Pacer Kashif Ali bagged six wickets, while Awais Anwar had three wickets to his name.
Rawalpindi in return were bowled out for 176 runs which they scored over 50.2 overs. Mehran Mumtaz (40, 46b, 6x4s) and Mohammad Faizan (31, 43b, 4x4s, 1x6) were the high scorers of the innings. Nisar Ahmed got four wickets, while Ali Shafiq returned with three wickets.
A follow-on was enforced; Rawalpindi were 40 for no loss at stumps.
FATA v Faisalabad at Abbottabad Cricket Stadium:
At Abbottabad Cricket Stadium, FATA resumed from only nine runs for one. Mohammad Sarwar Afridi (35, 63b, 6x4s) and Mohammad Nisar Afridi (32, 58b, 4x4s, 1x6) were the high scorers for FATA as the side was bundled for 128. Khurram Shahzad was the star performer of the innings, bagging six wickets.
In return, Faisalabad posted 128 runs, losing five wickets in the process. Taimoor Sultan (52, 79b, 7x4s) was the highest scorer for the side. Mohammad Irfan and Arshad Ullah returned with two wickets apiece.
Scores in brief
Lahore Whites v Peshawar:
Lahore Whites 568 all out in 161.2 overs (Ahmed Shahzad 253; Ali Zaryab Asif 141; Mehran Ibrahim 5-57, Sajid Khan 2-152)
Peshawar 76-1 in 16 overs (Sahibzada Farhan 33 not out, Waqar Ahmed 29 not out; Asad Ullah 1-32)
Multan v Karachi Whites:
Multan 220 all out in 50.2 overs (Mohammad Basit 60, Ali Usman 57; Tabish Khan 3-40, Mir Hamza 3-54) and 169-3 in 59.1 overs (Imran Rafiq 70; Sharoon Siraj 60 not out; Asad Shafiq 1-0, Ghulam Mudassar 1-25, Noman Ali 1-38)
Karachi Whites 194 all out in 64.2 overs (Saim Ayub 40, Tabish Khan 38 not out, Mir Hamza 36; Zahid Mahmood 5-69, Ali Usman 4-50)
Rawalpindi v Lahore Blues:
Lahore Blues 396 all out 99.3 overs (Hussain Talat 104, Junaid Ali 102; Kashif Ali 6-86, Mohammad Awais Anwar 3-109)
Rawalpindi 176 all out in 50.2 overs (Mehran Mumtaz 40, Mohammad Faizan 31; Nisar Ahmed 4-55, Ali Shafiq 3-55) and 40-0 in 14 overs (Abdul Faseeh 14 not out, Zeeshan Malik 9 not out)
FATA v Faisalabad:
Faisalabad 215 all out in 79.5 overs (Faheem Ashraf 76, Mohammad Huraira 37; Asif Afridi 3-37, Aimal Khan 2-54, Arshad Ullah 2-57) and 128-5 in 38.3 overs (Taimoor Sultan 52, Mohammad Abubakar Khan 37; Mohammad Irfan 2-9, Arshad Ullah 2-32)
FATA 128 all out in 43.4 overs (Mohammad Sarwar Afridi 35, Mohammad Nisar Afridi 32; Khurram Shahzad 6-23, Mohammad Ali 2-48).
