Unpredictable rain played spoilsport, preventing any decisive results in the seventh round of the Quaid-e-Azam Trophy 2023-24. All four matches across different venues were ultimately drawn. Faisalabad, led by Faheem Ashraf, and Karachi Whites, captained by Sarfaraz Ahmed, currently top the points table after seven rounds of competition. Consequently, both teams have secured a place in the Quaid-e-Azam Trophy final, set to take place from October 22 to 26 at Lahore’s Gaddafi Stadium.
Lahore Blues v Karachi Whites at Gaddafi Stadium, Lahore:
Lahore Blues resumed from their overnight score of 146 for six in 40 overs on the final day of the seventh round. The team concluded their innings with a total of 203 runs in 58.2 overs. Hashim Ibrahim was the highest run-scorer for Lahore Blues, contributing 51 runs, while Qasim Akram added 38 runs to the total. Left-arm pacer Mir Hamza claimed four wickets for Karachi Whites, while left-arm spinner Noman Ali secured three.
In their second innings, Karachi Whites managed 213 runs in 54 overs, losing six wickets. Omair Bin Yousuf (65) and Khurram Manzoor (48) were the top performers. Usman Qadir and Asfand Mehran secured two wickets each, while pacers Ali Shafiq and Hunain Shah took one wicket each. The match ended in a draw, as no definitive result could be determined on the final day.
Rawalpindi v Multan at Shoaib Akhtar Cricket Stadium, Rawalpindi:
Rawalpindi resumed from 150 for two in 43 overs on the final day at Shoaib Akhtar Cricket Stadium. After batting for 118 overs, they reached an imposing total of 501 runs, losing four wickets in the process. Haider Ali was the standout performer, amassing an unbeaten 170 runs from 228 balls. Umar Amin also impressed with 153 runs, while Zeeshan Malik contributed a half-century, scoring 56 runs.
The match, heavily affected by rain on three days, was ultimately declared a draw due to the lack of any concrete outcome.
Lahore Whites v Faisalabad at Pindi Cricket Stadium, Rawalpindi:
At the Pindi Cricket Stadium, Faisalabad continued their innings from 238 runs for four wickets in 59 overs. The team managed to post 472 runs in 128.2 overs before being bowled out. Ali Waqas was the standout batsman with an unbeaten 151 runs, while Irfan Khan Niazi (99) and Mohammad Huraira (87) also made significant contributions. Aamer Jamal and Saad Naseem both claimed three wickets each.
In their second innings, Lahore Whites batted for just three overs, scoring two runs and losing one wicket, at which point the captains decided to draw the match.
FATA v Peshawar at Abbottabad Cricket Stadium, Abbottabad:
FATA, after winning the toss and electing to bowl on a rain-affected pitch at Abbottabad Cricket Stadium, restricted Peshawar to 360 for three. Sahibzada Farhan recorded an impressive 140 runs from 148 balls, supported by Kamran Ghulam (102 not out) and Mehran Ibrahim (50 not out). Zain Khan also contributed with 44 runs. Asif Afridi secured two wickets, and Akif Javed claimed one.
The match concluded in a draw after the first three days of play were washed out due to heavy rain.
Despite the inclement weather affecting the games in the seventh round, the Quaid-e-Azam Trophy has seen fierce competition and exciting cricket action throughout. The stage is now set for the much-anticipated final match at Gaddafi Stadium in Lahore.
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