Veteran Pakistan Test bowler Mohammad Abbas delivered a match-winning performance with a 10-wicket haul as Lahore Region Whites defeated Multan Region by 6 wickets in the 25th match of the Quaid-e-Azam Trophy 2025-26 at Marghzar Cricket Ground, Islamabad. The three-day contest, played from October 30 to November 1, saw Abbas record his 51st career first-class five-wicket haul and demonstrate why he remains one of Pakistan’s finest red-ball bowlers.
After captain Saad Nasim chose to field first, Abbas tore through Multan’s batting lineup, taking 5 for 32 in 15.4 overs to dismiss them for just 164 in their first innings. Lahore Whites built a commanding 119-run first-innings lead before Abbas struck again in Multan’s second innings with 5 for 51, helping bowl them out for 199. Chasing just 81 runs for victory, Lahore Whites reached 84 for 4 in 17.3 overs to secure a comfortable win.
Sources: Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB), Wisden, GeoSuper, ProPakistani
Match Scorecard
| Team | 1st Innings | 2nd Innings | Result |
|---|---|---|---|
| Multan Region | 164 all out (43.4 ov) | 199 all out (64.3 ov) | Lost by 6 wickets |
| Lahore Region Whites | 283 all out (74 ov) | 84/4 (17.3 ov) | Won by 6 wickets |
Match Venue: Marghzar Cricket Ground, Islamabad
Match Dates: October 30 – November 1, 2025
Toss: Lahore Whites won and elected to field
Top Performers
| Player | Team | Role | Performance |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mohammad Abbas | Lahore Whites | Bowler | 10 wickets (5/32 & 5/51) |
| Aamer Jamal | Lahore Whites | All-rounder | 6 wickets (3/58 & 3/42) |
| Qasim Akram | Lahore Whites | Batsman | 61 runs (1st innings) |
| Ali Zaryab | Lahore Whites | Batsman | 57 runs (1st innings) |
| Imran Butt | Multan | Batsman | 71 runs (2nd innings) |
| Arafat Minhas | Multan | All-rounder | 45 runs & 2 wickets |
Sources: Match scorecard data
Key Moments
- Day 1, Morning Session: Mohammad Abbas demolished Multan’s top order, removing captain Zain Abbas for a duck and opener Waqar Hussain for just 1 run, reducing Multan to 3-2. Multan never recovered from this devastating start.
- Day 1, Multan’s Collapse: Arafat Minhas provided some resistance with 45 off 51 balls from number eight, while Bismillah Khan (32) and Imran Butt (30) made contributions, but Multan was bowled out for 164.
- Day 1, Close of Play: Ali Zaryab’s unbeaten 51 helped Lahore Whites finish the opening day at 121/4, trailing by just 43 runs.
- Day 2, Lahore’s Lead: Qasim Akram’s 61 and Ali Zaryab’s 57 helped Lahore Whites post 283, securing a crucial 119-run first-innings lead.
- Day 2-3, Multan’s Second Innings: Imran Butt top-scored with 71 off 151 balls and Waqar Hussain added 49, but Abbas struck again with another five-wicket haul. Aamer Jamal provided excellent support with 3 for 42.
- Day 3, Easy Chase: Chasing just 81 runs, Lahore Whites lost early wickets but Tayyab Tahir (19 not out) and Nisar Ahmad (24 not out off 11 balls) sealed the victory with an unbeaten partnership.
Match Analysis
Mohammad Abbas’s performance was extraordinary, as he recorded his second consecutive five-wicket haul after taking 6 for 78 against Karachi Blues just three days earlier, which marked his 50th career five-wicket haul in first-class cricket. His 10-wicket match haul against Multan showcased his exceptional control and ability to exploit conditions at the Marghzar Cricket Ground.
Abbas’s first-innings figures of 5 for 32 from 15.4 overs were particularly impressive, with an economy rate of just over 2 runs per over. His ability to swing the ball and maintain tight lines proved too much for Multan’s batsmen. Aamer Jamal provided excellent support throughout the match, taking 6 wickets in total across both innings.
Multan’s batting struggled throughout the match. Despite scoring 164 and 199 in their two innings, they could never build substantial partnerships. Only Imran Butt showed real resistance in the second innings with his patient 71, but it wasn’t enough to set a challenging target.
For Lahore Whites, the batting contributions were well-distributed. In the first innings, Qasim Akram’s 61 and Ali Zaryab’s 57 were crucial in building their lead. The chase of 81 was never in doubt, though they lost four wickets before Nisar Ahmad’s aggressive 24 off just 11 balls featuring 2 fours and 2 sixes finished the game quickly.
What’s Next
This victory keeps Lahore Region Whites competitive in the Quaid-e-Azam Trophy 2025-26. The tournament continues with more rounds scheduled, as teams compete for a place in the final on November 29, 2025.
For Mohammad Abbas, this performance reinforces his case for a Pakistan Test recall, especially after his successful comeback in December 2024 against South Africa where he took 6 for 54 in his first match back after three years. His consistent domestic performances demonstrate he remains a quality red-ball bowler.
Multan Region will need to regroup and address their batting vulnerabilities, particularly against quality seam bowling. Their inability to build partnerships under pressure cost them dearly in this match.
Lahore Whites will take confidence from this comprehensive victory as they look to climb the points table and challenge for the trophy. With Abbas in such devastating form and support from bowlers like Aamer Jamal, their bowling attack looks formidable for the matches ahead.