Karachi Whites asserted their dominance on the opening day of the Quaid-e-Azam Trophy 2023-24 final against Faisalabad at Gaddafi Stadium, Lahore, thanks to remarkable batting performances by Saim Ayub and Shan Masood.
Opting to field first, Faisalabad captain Faheem Ashraf’s decision didn’t go as planned as Karachi Whites displayed exceptional batting prowess. Despite the early dismissal of Khurram Manzoor, who could only muster three runs, Shan Masood and Saim Ayub joined forces for a spectacular second-wicket partnership.
Shan Masood showcased his class, amassing a remarkable 180 runs, which included 13 boundaries and seven sixes, before being dismissed by Arshad Iqbal. This century marked his 24th in the first-class arena. Shan’s explosive innings set the tone for Karachi Whites.
Saim Ayub, on the other hand, remained unbeaten at the end of the day, reaching a double century with a resounding 200 not out. Saim’s innings featured 22 fours and two maximums, coming off 244 deliveries. This performance demonstrated his prowess in first-class cricket, particularly as it was his second century in the tournament, having secured his maiden ton earlier against Multan.
The second-wicket partnership between Shan and Saim was truly exceptional, yielding a colossal 367 runs from 403 deliveries, as they relentlessly punished the Faisalabad bowlers.
As Karachi Whites reached an imposing total of 398 for the loss of just two wickets in 78 overs, Faisalabad will be seeking a much-improved performance on the second day of the final. So far, only Khurram Shahzad and Arshad Iqbal managed to secure a wicket each for their team, as Karachi Whites maintained an impressive run-rate of 5.10.
Scores in brief:
Karachi Whites 398-2, 78 overs (Saim Ayub 200 not out, Shan Masood 180; Arshad Iqbal 1-57, Khurram Shahzad 1-60)
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