Lahore, 19 October 2023: Owing to the influence of rain on the previous three days of play across the four venues of the Quaid-e-Azam Trophy 2023-24, no definitive results could be produced on the final day of round seven of the trophy, with all four games ending in draws. Faheem Ashraf led-Faisalabad and Sarfaraz Ahmed-led Karachi Whites top the points table after the seven rounds played thus far in the trophy. Consequently, the two sides have qualified for the final of the Quaid-e-Azam Trophy, to be played from 22 to 26 October at Gaddafi Stadium, Lahore.
Lahore Blues v Karachi Whites at Gaddafi Stadium, Lahore:
Resuming from their overnight score of 146 for six in 40 overs, Lahore Blues ended with an innings total of 203 in 58.2 overs on the final day of round seven of the Quaid-e-Azam Trophy at Gaddafi Stadium, Lahore. Hashim Ibrahim (51, 71b, 8x4s) was the highest scorer for the side. His efforts were supported by Qasim Akram (38, 57b, 5x4s). Left-arm pacer Mir Hamza returned with four wickets while left-arm spinner Noman Ali got three wickets for Karachi.
In their second attempt, Karachi Whites posted 213 runs in 54 overs, while losing six wickets in the innings. Omair Bin Yousuf (65, 87b, 4x4s, 4x6s) and Khurram Manzoor (48, 101b, 6x4s) top-scored for the side. Usman Qadir and Asfand Mehran got two wickets each, while pacers Ali Shafiq and Hunain Shah returned with a wicket apiece.
The match was drawn when no definitive result was deemed possible on the final day of play.
Rawalpindi v Multan at Shoaib Akhtar Cricket Stadium, Rawalpindi:
At the Shoaib Akhtar Cricket Stadium, Rawalpindi resumed from their overnight score of 150 for two in 43 overs. After batting for 118 overs, they posted 501 runs on the board, losing four wickets in the process. Haider Ali (170 not out, 228b, 16x4s, 2x6s) was the star-performer for the side. Umar Amin (153, 218b, 15x4s, 1x6) was the other prominent batter. Zeeshan Malik scored a half century as well, getting to 56 runs in 80 balls, including six boundaries and one maximum.
The match, heavily impacted by rain on three days, was drawn when no definitive results could be foreseen.
Lahore Whites v Faisalabad at Pindi Cricket Stadium, Rawalpindi:
At the Pindi Cricket Stadium, Faisalabad started their day from 238 runs for four in 59 overs. They got to 472 runs in 128.2 overs before getting bowled out. Ali Waqas (151 not out, 282b, 17x4s) was the standout batter in the innings. Irfan Khan Niazi (99, 152b, 10x4s, 1x6) and Mohammad Huraira (87, 121b, 13x4s) were the other contributors with the bat. Aamer Jamal and Saad Naseem both returned with three wickets each in the innings.
In the final innings, Lahore Whites only batted for three overs. They scored two runs and lost one wicket, after which the captain shook their hands to draw the match.
FATA v Peshawar at Abbottabad Cricket Stadium, Abbottabad:
FATA won the toss and elected to bowl first at Abbottabad Cricket Stadium, after the first three days of play were washed out owing to rain. Sahibzada Farhan produced a solid knock, hitting 140 in 148 balls with 27 boundaries. Kamran Ghulam (102 not out, 177b, 9x4s, 2x6s), Mehran Ibrahim (50 not out, 94b, 5x4s, 1x6), Zain Khan (44, 51b, 10x4s) were the other contributors with the bat. Asif Afridi bagged two wickets while Akif Javed got one wicket to his name.
Peshawar stood at 360 for three at close of play. The match was drawn.
Scores in brief:
Lahore Blues v Karachi Whites
Match Drawn
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) and 213-6 in 54 overs (Omair Bin Yousuf 65, Khurram Manzoor 48; Asfand Mehran 2-52, Usman Qadir 2-83, Hunain Shah 1-20, Ali Shafiq 1-31)
Lahore Blues 203 all out in 58.2 overs (Hashim Ibrahim 51, Qasim Akram 38; Mir Hamza 4-69, Noman Ali 3-32)
Rawalpindi v Multan
Match Drawn
Rawalpindi 501-4 in 118 overs (Haider Ali 170 not out, Umar Amin 153, Zeeshan Malik 56; Sirajuddin 1-71, Mohammad Imran 1-98, Zahid Mahmood 1-108, Ali Usman 1-129)
Lahore Whites v Faisalabad
Match Drawn
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) and 2-1 in three overs (Khurram Shahzad 1-2)
Faisalabad 472 all out in 128.2 overs (Ali Waqas 151 not out, Irfan Khan Niazi 99, Mohammad Huraira 87; Saad Naseem 3-41, Aamer Jamal 3-127)
FATA v Peshawar
Match Drawn
Peshawar 360-3 in 83 overs (Sahibzada Farhan 140, Kamran Ghulam 102 not out, Mehran Ibrahim 50 not out; Asif Afridi 2-68, Akif Javed 1-71)
