LAHORE: Abbottabad’s Adil Naz and Najeebullah Achakzai of Quetta bagged five-wicket hauls while Azad Jammu and Kashmir Region captain Hasan Raza, Danish Aziz of Dera Murad Jamali, and Peshawar Region’s Waqar Ahmed and Sahibzada Farhan smashed centuries as the Quaid-e-Azam Trophy 2024-25 commenced at different venues across Pakistan on Saturday.

In Group ‘A’, Islamabad Region were bundled out for 117 in 41.3 overs after Abbottabad decided to field first at the National Ground in Islamabad.

Abbottabad’s Adil Naz bagged a five-wicket haul (5-33) while left-arm pacer Israr Hussain took two wickets for 48.

At stumps, Abbottabad were tottering at 90 for eight in 35 overs. Islamabad’s fast bowler Nusratullah grabbed four wickets for 13, while left-arm spinner Shayan Shaikh claimed three wickets for 19.

Test fast bowler Khurram Shehzad was the most successful bowler for Faisalabad Region, taking four wickets for 42 runs in 15 overs.

After Faisalabad Region opted to field, Lahore Region Whites scored 225 for seven in 79 overs when stumps were drawn in their Group ‘A’ match at the Diamond Ground, Islamabad.

Attyab Ahmed (69 off 172 balls) and Obaid Shahid (59 off 104) scored half-centuries.

In another Group ‘A’ game between Hyderabad Region and Larkana Region at the Marghzar Cricket Ground, Islamabad, Hyderabad finished day one at 309-9 in 82 overs thanks to half-centuries by Mohammad Suleman (84 off 151), Gohar Ali (81 off 95) and Muhammad Sadam (76 off 117).

For Larkana, Aamir Ali Brohi, Asif Ali Chandio, Mohammad Nawaz and Shahzaib Aziz bagged two wickets each.

At the Shoaib Akhtar Cricket Stadium in Rawalpindi, Multan Region’s Mohammad Shahzad cracked a 50-ball 78 before they were dismissed for 256 in 61.5 overs after being put in to bat by Rawalpindi Region in a Group ‘B’ match.

Imam-ul-Haq (39 off 66), Waseem Akram Jr (38 off 66) and Sharoon Siraj (32 off 36) were other notable run-getters.

Rawalpindi’s Jahandad Khan took four wickets while Ali Hasnain and Mohammad Awais Anwar claimed three and two wickets, respectively.

At stumps, Rawalpindi were 55 for two in 19 overs with opener Abdul Faseeh unbeaten on 34. Waseem took both the wickets.

Openers Waqar Ahmed (140 off 191 balls, 18 fours, two sixes) and Sahibzada Farhan (100 off 135, 14 fours, two sixes) struck centuries as Peshawar Region finished the first day of their Group ‘B’ fixture against Karachi Region Whites at a healthy-looking 365 for three in another Group ‘B’ fixture at Ashfaq Cricket Ground Sirdheri, Charsadda.

After being asked to bat, Farhan and Waqar knitted a 217-run partnership. Irsrarullah batting at number three scored a 102-ball 65, which included nine fours and a six.

Captain Iftikhar Ahmed returned undefeated on 35 along with Nabi Gul (14 not out).

Azad Jammu and Kashmir Region were bowled out for 238 in 75.5 overs after Bahawalpur Region opted to field in their Group ‘B’ match at the Abbottabad Cricket Stadium. Captain Hasan Raza scored a 207-ball 105 laced with 15 boundaries.

For Bahawalpur, Ali Shabbir and Mohammad Imran bagged three wickets apiece. At stumps, Baha­walpur Region were six for no loss.

Group C

In Group ‘C’, Quetta Region were bowled out for a paltry 147 in 49.3 overs after defending champions Karachi Region Blues decided to bowl at the Rana Naveed Academy in Sheikhupura

Quetta’s Shahbaz Khan returned undefeated on 47 off 100 balls.

Tabish Khan took four wickets for 55 while Aftab Khan and Fahad Amin bagged three wickets each.

In turn, at stumps, Karachi Blues crumbled to 51-9 in 21.3 overs. Only Saifullah Bangash (19) managed to get into double figures.

Quetta’s Najeebullah bagged five wickets for 13 while Mohammad Idrees took three wickets for six runs.

After being asked to bat first, FATA Region on the back of half-centuries from Mohammad Farooq (75 off 97) and Samiullah Jr (52 off 89), posted 316 for seven in 84 overs against Sialkot Region in their Group ‘C’ game at Jinnah Stadium in Gujranwala.

Sialkot’s Amad Butt took four wickets while leg-spinner Usama Mir grabbed two.

Danish Aziz scored 102 off 192 balls to help Dera Murad Jamali Region reach 254 for five in 88 overs after they were invited to bat first by Lahore Region Blues in another Group ‘C’ clash at the Saeed Sports City Bedian in Lahore.

For Lahore Blues, Nisar Ahmad claimed three wickets.

Published in Dawn, October 27th, 2024