- Bahawalpur ended Karachi Blues' unbeaten streak in the tournament with a 59-run win in the final
- Both the team will now take part in the 10-team National T20 Cup 2026 in March
Lahore, 24 February 2026: Bahawalpur Region romped to victory in the final of the National T20 Cup Qualifier against Karachi Region Blues here at the Gaddafi Stadium, Lahore on Tuesday night. After posting 172-5 in 20 overs on the back of explosive 80-run knock by captain Muhammad Imran, Bahawalpur bowled out Karachi Blues for 113 in 16 overs.
The two teams had already secured the qualification for the 10-team National T20 Cup 2026 after topping their respective pools.
Karachi Blues had won four matches on the trot before succumbing to loss in the final, while Bahawalpur ended the title-winning campaign with four successive wins after losing their first match against Rawalpindi.
Bahawalpur were sluggish after opting to bat first as they scored only 45 runs off the first 10 overs of their innings. Imran walked in at no.5 and changed the complexion of the innings as the eventual winners ransacked 127 runs off the last 10 overs.
Imran first stitched a 45-run stand with Mohammad Ammar (30, 36b, 2x4s, 1x6) before going out all guns blazing in a 37-ball 82-run partnership with Mohammad Faizan Zafar (35, 15b, 2x4s, 3x6s). Bahawalpur skipper laid the foundation of his team’s triumph with his career-best T20 score with the help of five fours and six sixes.
Off-spinner Wahaj Riaz picked up two for 22 in his four overs to collect best bowlers and player of the tournament awards.
In turn, Karachi Blues scrambled to 93-3 in 12.1 overs before a spectacular batting collapse set in as they lost seven for 20. Bahawalpur pacer Ali Shabbir picked three of these wickets as he gave away 21 runs in his four overs.
For Karachi Blues, only best batter of the tournament Ahsan Ali could cross the 20-run mark as he hit a threating 29-ball 43 with the help of three fours and as many sixes. Bahawalpur’s trio of Mohammad Umair, Mohammad Junaid and Mohammad Basit picked up two wickets each.
Scores in brief
Final – Bahawalpur Region beat Karachi Region Blues by 59 runs at the Gaddafi Stadium, Lahore
Bahawalpur 172-5, 20 overs (Muhammad Imran 80, Mohammad Faizan Zafar 35 not out, Mohammad Ammar 30; Wahaj Riaz 2-22)
Karachi Blues 113 all out, 16 overs (Ahsan Ali 43; Ali Shabbir 3-21, Mohammad Umair 2-9, Mohammad Junaid 2-15, Mohammad Basit 2-20)
Player of the match – Muhammad Imran (Bahawalpur)
Best batter of the tournament – Ahsan Ali (Karachi Blues)
Player of the tournament and best bowler of the tournament – Wahaj Riaz (Karachi Blues)
Best wicketkeeper of the tournament - Mohammad Akram (Bahawalpur)
