Karachi Blues booked their place in the final of the Quaid-e-Azam Trophy after defeating defending champions Sialkot by three wickets on the third day of the ninth and final round in Rawalpindi.
The victory marked Karachi Blues’ fifth win of the tournament, while it was Sialkot’s first defeat of the season.
In other matches, Lahore Whites overcame FATA by 33 runs, and Multan completed a dominant innings-and-201-run win over Abbottabad.
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Playing at Shoaib Akhtar Cricket Stadium, Karachi Blues were set a target of 212 runs, which they achieved for the loss of seven wickets.
Shan Masood led from the front with a composed 86, while wicketkeeper Saad Baig continued his strong form with an important 68.
Mehran Mumtaz impressed with the ball, picking up four wickets for Sialkot in the second innings.
Earlier, Sialkot were bowled out for 260 in their second innings.
READ: Karachi Blues crush Abbottabad in Quaid-e-Azam Trophy match
Hamza Nazar scored 66, while Kashif Bhatti delivered a match-winning spell, taking five wickets for 72 in the second innings.
With a total of nine wickets in the match, Bhatti was named Player of the Match.
At the Imran Khan Cricket Stadium in Peshawar, Lahore Whites posted 208 in their second innings against FATA, with Ali Zaryab scoring 54.
Asif Afridi claimed five wickets for 67 runs.
FATA were then bowled out for 141 while chasing 175.
READ: Lahore Whites, Peshawar secure wins in eighth round of Quaid-e-Azam Trophy
Wicketkeeper-batter Rehan Afridi contributed 45, but Mohammad Abbas stole the show with figures of 5 for 31, earning him the Player-of-the-Match award.
At the Marghzar Cricket Ground in Islamabad, Faisalabad managed 185 in their second innings against Bahawalpur.
Hasan Raza top-scored with 48, while Muhammad Junaid took seven wickets for 58.
Set a target of 310, Bahawalpur reached 124 for two at stumps, thanks to a steady 69 from Mohammad Alamgir and 53 from Mohammad Sudais.
They still require 186 runs with eight wickets in hand.
At the Diamond Cricket Ground, Peshawar were bowled out for 231 in their first innings against Islamabad.
READ: Bowlers take charge as Abbas Ali stands out on day one of QeAT round eight
Sajid Khan scored 64 and Razaullah remained unbeaten on 57.
Musa Khan claimed five wickets for 79.
Following on, Peshawar reached 183 for two in their second innings, with Razaullah hitting a brilliant 100 and Waqar Ahmed remained unbeaten on 63.
In Abbottabad, the home side were dismissed for 182 in their second innings after being asked to follow on against Multan.
Shahzaib Khan scored 61 and Ahmed Khan made 51.
Ali Usman once again dominated with the ball, taking four wickets in the second innings and finishing the match with 10-wicket haul.
His outstanding all-round performance earned him the Player-of-the-Match award.
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With the final day of the last round set to be played tomorrow, the tournament’s final will take place from November 29 to December 2 at Gaddafi Stadium in Lahore.
