Karachi Blues began the Quaid-e-Azam Trophy 2025–26 final on a strong note, scoring 285 runs for the loss of six wickets in their first innings against defending champions Sialkot on the opening day at Gaddafi Stadium.
Sialkot won the toss and chose to field, handing Karachi Blues the opportunity to bat first.
The visitors got off to a solid start, with Saad Baig and Abdullah Fazal putting together an 80-run opening stand.
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Saad Baig made 39 runs, including eight boundaries, before being dismissed LBW by Hasan Ali.
With this innings, Baig’s tournament tally reached 969 runs, featuring four centuries and three half-centuries.
Abdullah Fazal played a responsible innings, scoring 88 runs with 10 fours and a six before falling to Usama Mir.
After the strong opening stand, Karachi Blues lost four quick wickets for just 45 runs.
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Shan Masood fell for 13, Haroon Arshad for 15, and captain Saud Shakeel was dismissed for a duck.
Abdullah Fazal then partnered with Usman Khan for a crucial fifth-wicket stand, adding 98 runs.
Usman Khan, showing patience and skill, scored 80 runs with 10 boundaries and a six and remained unbeaten at the crease alongside Kashif Bhatti, who remained unbeaten on 11.
Rameez Aziz contributed 22 runs, hitting four boundaries.
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For Sialkot, Mohammad Hasnain and Hasan Ali claimed two wickets each, while Mohammad Ali and Usama Mir took one wicket apiece.
Karachi Blues had finished the league stage at the top of the table with 161 points, while Sialkot secured second place with 155 points to earn their spot in the final.
