Faisalabad Region secured a comfortable seven-wicket victory over Peshawar Region in the 21st match of the Quaid-e-Azam Trophy 2025-26 at the Shoaib Akhtar Cricket Stadium in Rawalpindi. The four-day match concluded on November 2, 2025, with Faisalabad successfully chasing down a modest target of 164 runs in just 41 overs.
The match saw outstanding performances from Faisalabad’s opener Faham-ul-Haq, who scored a magnificent 157 runs in the first innings, and fast bowler Afaq Afridi, who claimed a five-wicket haul in Peshawar’s second innings. Peshawar’s Iftikhar Ahmed fought hard with scores of 131 and 61 in both innings, but his efforts were not enough to prevent defeat.
Sources: Pakistan Observer, ESPNcricinfo, The Nation
Scorecard Summary
| Team | 1st Innings | 2nd Innings | Result |
|---|---|---|---|
| Peshawar Region | 320 (84.1 overs) | 227 (70.1 overs) | Lost by 7 wickets |
| Faisalabad Region | 384 (121.4 overs) | 167/3 (41 overs) | Won by 7 wickets |
Target: 164 runs
Match Result: Faisalabad Region won by 7 wickets
Venue: Shoaib Akhtar Cricket Stadium, Rawalpindi
Dates: October 30 – November 02, 2025
Top Performers
| Player | Team | Role | Performance |
|---|---|---|---|
| Faham-ul-Haq | Faisalabad | Opener | 157 runs (326 balls, 18 fours) – Player of the Match |
| Iftikhar Ahmed | Peshawar | All-rounder | 131 & 61 runs; 2 wickets |
| Afaq Afridi | Faisalabad | Fast bowler | 5/55 in 2nd innings |
| Mohammad Haris | Peshawar | Wicketkeeper-batter | 88 runs in 1st innings |
| Atiq-ur-Rehman | Faisalabad | Batsman | 65 runs in run chase |
| Asim Ali | Faisalabad | Batsman | 62 not out in run chase |
Sources: Pakistan Observer, The Nation
Key Moments
- Day 1: Iftikhar Ahmed’s brilliant 131 off 204 balls helped Peshawar reach 320 all out. Khurram Shahzad took 3/90 for Faisalabad.
- Day 2: Faham-ul-Haq played a composed innings, reaching his maiden first-class century. He finished on 137 not out at stumps with Faisalabad at 309/7, trailing by just 11 runs.
- Day 2 Continuation: Faham-ul-Haq completed his innings at 157 as Faisalabad posted 384, taking a crucial 64-run first-innings lead.
- Day 3: Peshawar struggled in their second innings, reaching 170/6 at stumps. Iftikhar Ahmed (54 not out) and Niaz Khan (15 not out) were at the crease.
- Day 4: Afaq Afridi destroyed Peshawar’s batting order with figures of 5/55. Peshawar were bowled out for 227, setting Faisalabad a target of just 164 runs.
- Day 4 Chase: Atiq-ur-Rehman (65) and Asim Ali (62 not out) guided Faisalabad home comfortably in 41 overs, securing a seven-wicket victory.
Match Analysis
Faisalabad’s victory was built on two key foundations: Faham-ul-Haq’s marathon first-innings knock and their disciplined bowling in Peshawar’s second innings. The 19-year-old opener showed great maturity, batting for 326 balls and hitting 18 boundaries to give his team a significant first-innings advantage.
Peshawar’s batting relied heavily on Iftikhar Ahmed, who scored 192 runs across both innings. However, the lack of support from other batsmen proved costly. In the first innings, after Iftikhar’s 131, only Mohammad Haris (88) provided substantial contribution. The second innings saw a similar pattern, with Iftikhar’s 61 being the highest score.
Afaq Afridi’s five-wicket haul in the second innings turned the match decisively in Faisalabad’s favor. His economical spell (22 overs, 5 wickets for 55 runs) restricted Peshawar to 227, leaving Faisalabad with a comfortable target.
The chase was executed professionally by Faisalabad. Despite losing three early wickets, Atiq-ur-Rehman and Asim Ali formed a crucial partnership that added 108 runs for the fourth wicket, taking their team to victory with ease.
What’s Next
This victory strengthens Faisalabad’s position in the Quaid-e-Azam Trophy 2025-26. With the tournament entering its sixth round, both teams will be looking to build momentum as they push toward the final. The tournament features 46 matches in total, with the top two teams qualifying for the final scheduled for November 29, 2025.
Peshawar will need to address their batting fragility and over-dependence on Iftikhar Ahmed, while Faisalabad can take confidence from their all-round performance, particularly the emergence of young Faham-ul-Haq as a reliable opener.
Match Format: First-class (4 days)
Toss: Information not available
Umpires: Information not available
Match Referee: Information not available