Lahore, 18 October 2023: Karachi Whites fought back on day three of round seven of Quaid-e-Azam Trophy 2023-24 to leave Lahore Blues six down for 148, in 40 overs after being all out for 161 in 42 overs in the first innings. At Shoaib Akhtar Cricket Stadium, Rawalpindi posted 150 runs at the expense of 2 wickets in 43 overs bowled by Multan. After bowling out Lahore Whites for 245 in 52.1 overs, Faisalabad responded with 238 runs in 59 over, losing four wickets in the day. The day’s play between FATA and Peshawar at Abbottabad Cricket Stadium was called off owing to the weather conditions.
Lahore Blues v Karachi Whites at Gaddafi Stadium, Lahore:
Karachi Whites began their day at 21 for five in nine overs at Gaddafi Stadium, Lahore. They added 140 more runs to the total before losing the remaining five wickets. Sarfaraz Ahmed played a captain’s inning and scored a half-century (51, 70b, 6x4s) to stir his team out of trouble. He was supported by Asad Shafiq (46, 73b, 7x4s) and Noman Ali (37 not out, 50b, 7x4s). Leg-spinner Usman Qadir grabbed four wickets while Ali Shafiq and Hunain Shah bagged three wickets each, as Karachi were dismissed for 161 in 42 overs.
In response, Lahore Blues posted 148 runs on the board, while losing six wickets in the process. Hashim Ibraheem (51, 71b, 8x4s) and Qasim Akram (36 not out, 52b, 5x4s) were the top scorers for the side. Mir Hamza and Noman Ali accounted for two wickets each.
Rawalpindi v Multan at Shoaib Akhtar Cricket Stadium, Rawalpindi:
After play was called off for day two at the Shoaib Akhtar Cricket Stadium, Rawalpindi trickled to 150 runs in 43 overs while losing two wickets at stumps on day three. Zeeshan Malik hit a half-century; he scored 56 runs in 80 balls including one maximum and six boundaries. Umar Amin, who remained unbeaten at stumps, scored 44 runs from 63 balls and hit six boundaries.
Ali Usman and Mohammad Imran got a wicket apiece.
Lahore Whites v Faisalabad at Pindi Cricket Stadium, Rawalpindi:
At the Pindi Cricket Stadium, Lahore Whites resumed from their overnight score of 171 for eight after batting for 39 overs. They got to 245 in 52.1 overs before getting bowled out. Ali Zaryab Asif (51, 69b, 9x4s) and Aamir Jamal (43 not out, 52b, 5x4s, 2x6s) were the prominent contributors with the bat. Khurram Shahzad, Faheem Ashraf and Arshad Iqbal grabbed three wickets each.
Faisalabad replied with 238 runs in 59 overs. Mohammad Huraira (87, 121b, 13x4s) had the most vital contribution with the bat. Muhammad Irfan Khan (42 not out, 59b, 4x4s, 1x6) and Ali Waqas (40 not out, 98b, 4x4s) remained unbeaten on the crease at stumps. Out of the four wickets that have fallen for Faisalabad thus far, Aamir Jamal got three wickets.
FATA v Peshawar at Abbottabad Cricket Stadium, Abbottabad:
Play on day two was called off due to bad weather.
Scores in brief:
Lahore Blues v Karachi Whites
Karachi Whites 161 all out in 42 overs (Sarfaraz Ahmed 51, Asad Shafiq 46, Noman Ali 37 not out; Usman Qadir 4-27, Ali Shafique 3-36, Hunain Shah 3-62)
Lahore Blues 146-6 in 40 overs (Hashim Ibrahim 51, Qasim Akram 36 not out; Noman Ali 3-30, Mir Hamza 3-38)
Rawalpindi v Multan
Rawalpindi 150-2 in 43 overs (Zeeshan Malik 56, Umar Amin 44 not out; Ali Usman 1-29, Mohammad Imran 1-31)
Lahore Whites v Faisalabad
Lahore Whites 245 all out 52.1 overs (Ali Zaryab Asif 51, Aamer Jamal 43 not out, Abid Ali 36, Muneeb Wasif 35; Faheem Ashraf 3-26, Arshad Iqbal 3-46, Khurram Shahzad 3-75)
Faisalabad 238-4 in 59 overs (Mohammad Huraira 87, Irfan Khan Niazi 42 not out, Ali Waqas 40 not out; Aamer Jamal 3-71, Muneeb Wasif 1-26)
FATA v Peshawar
Play called off due to bad weather
