CHARSADDA: Sahibzada Farhan and Waqar Ahmed scored dominant centuries to power Peshawar Region to a commendable total against Karachi Whites on the opening day of the Quaid-e-Azam Trophy (QeAT) 2024/25.
After being asked to bat, the opening pair of Sahibzada and Waqar knitted a 217-run partnership.
Waqar Ahmed (140, 191b, 18x4s, 2x6s) and Sahibzada Farhan (100, 135b, 14x4s, 2x6s) scored centuries as Peshawar Region finished the first day at 365 for three in 90 overs.
Irsrarullah coming to bat at number three scored a 102-ball 65, which included nine fours and a six, while captain Iftikhar Ahmed returned undefeated on 35 along with Nabi Gul (14 not out, 40b, 2x4s, 1×6).
Multan Region v Rawalpindi Region at Shoaib Akhtar Cricket Stadium, Rawalpindi
Multan’s Muhammad Shahzad (78, 50b, 6x4s, 6x6s) scored a quick-fire half-century before Multan Region were dismissed for 256 in 61.5 overs after being put in to bat. Imam-ul-Haq (39, 66b, 5x4s), Waseem Akram Jnr (38, 66b, 3x4s, 1×6) and Sharoon Siraj (32, 36b, 3x4s, 1×6) were other run-getters for the Multan Region.
Rawalpindi Region’s Jahandad Khan took four wickets, while Ali Hasnain and Mohammad Awais Anwar snapped three and two wickets, respectively.
At stumps, Rawalpindi Region were 55 for two in 19 overs with opening batter Abdul Faseeh unbeaten on 34. Waseem took Rawalpindi Region both wickets to fall.
Azad Jammu and Kashmir Region v Bahawalpur Region at Abbottabad Cricket Stadium
In another Group B clash of the QeAT, AJK Region were bowled out for 238 in 75.5 overs after Bahawalpur Region opted to field. Captain Hasan Raza scored a 207-ball 105, which included 15 boundaries.
For Bahawalpur Region, Ali Shabbir and Muhammad Imran bagged three wickets apiece. At stumps, Bahawalpur Region were six for no loss in 2.2 overs.
Islamabad Region v Abbottabad Region at the National Ground, Islamabad
Islamabad Region were bundled out for 117 in 41.3 overs after Abbottabad decided to field first. Abbottabad’s Adil Naz bagged a five-wicket haul (5-33) while left-arm pacer Israr Hussain took two wickets for 48 runs.
At stumps, Abbottabad were 90 for eight in 35 overs. Islamabad’s right-arm fast bowler Nusratullah grabbed four wickets for 13, while left-arm spinner Shayan Shaikh picked three wickets for 19 in eight overs.
Faisalabad Region v Lahore Region Whites at Diamond Ground, Islamabad
After Faisalabad opted to field, Lahore Region Whites scored 225 for seven in 79 overs when stumps were drawn. Attyab Ahmed (69, 172b, 10x4s) and Obaid Shahid (59, 104b, 10x4s) scored half-centuries for their side.
Test fast bowler Khurram Shehzad was the most successful bowler for Faisalabad Region, taking four wickets for 42 runs in 15 overs.
Hyderabad Region v Larkana Region at Marghzar Cricket Ground, Islamabad
Hyderabad Region finished the day one with 309 for nine in 82 overs courtesy of half-centuries by Mohammad Suleman (84, 151b, 11x4s, 1×6), Gohar Ali (81, 95b, 14x4s, 2x6s) and Muhammad Sadam (76, 117b, 9x4s).
For Larkana Region, Aamir Ali Brohi, Asif Ali Chandio, Mohammad Nawaz and Shahzaib Aziz bagged two wickets each.
Karachi Region Blues v Quetta Region at Rana Naveed Academy, Sheikhupura
Quetta Region were bowled out for 147 in 49.3 overs after defending champions Karachi Region Blues opted to field. Quetta’s Shahbaz Khan returned undefeated on 47 off 100 balls, which included four fours.
Tabish Khan took four wickets for 55, while Aftab Khan and Fahad Amin bagged three wickets each.
In turn, at stumps, Karachi Region Blues were 51 for nine in 21.3 overs. Only Saifullah Bangash managed to get into double figures as he scored a 28-ball 19, hitting two fours.
Quetta’s Najeebullah bagged five wickets for 13 runs, while Mohammad Idrees took three wickets for six runs in 2.3 overs.
FATA Region v Sialkot Region at Jinnah Stadium, Gujranwala
After being asked to bat first, FATA Region, on the back of half-centuries from Mohammad Farooq (75, 97b, 7x4s, 3x6s) and Samiullah Jnr (52, 89b, 4x4s, 2x6s), scored 316 for seven in 84 overs before close of play.
Sialkot Region’s Amad Butt took four wickets, while leg-spinner Usama Mir grabbed two wickets.
Dera Murad Jamali Region v Lahore Region Blues at Saeed Sports City Bedian, Lahore
Danish Aziz scored 102 off 192 balls to help Dera Murad Jamali Region score 254 for five in 88 overs. After being put into bat, opening batter Basit Ali scored a 75-ball 51, laced with nine fours and a six. Danish hit six fours and two sixes.
For Lahore Region Blues, Nisar Ahmad picked three wickets.
The premier first-class tournament will see 18 teams from 16 regions divided into three groups. The top side from each group will advance to the triangular stage.
In the triangular stage, the first-placed team from each group will play two matches, with the top two sides qualifying for the final, set to take place from 14 to 18 December. The venues of the triangular stage and the final of the QeAT will be confirmed in due course.
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