Bahawalpur Region and Multan Region played out an exciting draw in the 18th match of the Quaid-e-Azam Trophy 2025 at Diamond Club Ground, Islamabad, from October 24-27, 2025. After Bahawalpur posted a strong first innings total of 501, Multan replied with 462. Bahawalpur’s second innings of 239 set Multan a target of 279 runs, but time ran out with Multan reaching just 5 without loss. The match showed great batting performances from both teams, with centuries from Saifullah Bangash and Ali Usman highlighting the four-day contest.
Sources: ESPNcricinfo Match Scorecard
Scorecard Summary
| Team | 1st Innings | 2nd Innings | Result |
|---|---|---|---|
| Bahawalpur Region | 501 (140.1 overs) | 239 (71.4 overs) | Match Drawn |
| Multan Region | 462 (113 overs) | 5/0 (1 over, Target: 279) | Match Drawn |
Top Performers
| Player | Team | Role | Performance |
|---|---|---|---|
| Saifullah Bangash | Bahawalpur | Wicket-keeper Batsman | 119 runs (210 balls, 18 fours) |
| Ali Usman | Multan | All-rounder | 113 runs (207 balls) & 5/88 (28 overs) |
| Mohammad Azab | Bahawalpur | Bowler | 5/130 (29 overs) |
| Mohammad Imran | Bahawalpur | Batsman | 75 runs (88 balls, 8 fours, 4 sixes) |
| Kashif Ali | Multan | Bowler | 4/102 (30 overs) & 1/53 (13 overs) |
| Bismillah Khan | Multan | Wicket-keeper Batsman | 100 not out (87 balls, 14 fours, 1 six) |
| Saad Khan | Bahawalpur | Batsman | 74 runs (116 balls, 10 fours) |
| Mohammad Sheharyar | Bahawalpur | Batsman | 69 runs (143 balls, 10 fours, 1 six) & 74 not out (127 balls) |
Source: ESPNcricinfo Match Scorecard
Key Moments
- Day 1: Bahawalpur reached 276/5 with Mohammad Sheharyar on 50 and Saifullah Bangash on 25 after 88 overs of play.
- Saifullah Bangash’s Century: The wicket-keeper batsman played a captain’s knock, scoring 119 runs off 210 balls with 18 boundaries to anchor Bahawalpur’s first innings.
- Multan’s Bowling Response: Mohammad Azab took five wickets for 130 runs, while Kashif Ali claimed four for 102 as Multan bowled out Bahawalpur for 501.
- Ali Usman’s All-Round Show: The Multan all-rounder scored a brilliant 113 runs off 207 balls and then took five wickets in Bahawalpur’s second innings to keep his team in the game.
- Bismillah Khan’s Counter-Attack: Coming in at number nine, Khan smashed an unbeaten century (100 off 87 balls) with 14 fours and a six, helping Multan recover from 303/7 to 462 all out.
- Second Innings Collapse: Bahawalpur started poorly in their second innings, losing their first wicket for a duck, but Mohammad Sheharyar fought back with 74 not out.
- Ali Usman Strikes Again: He finished with match figures of 5/88 in the second innings, taking five wickets to restrict Bahawalpur to 239.
- Final Day: Multan needed 279 runs to win but had little time remaining, reaching just 5/0 in one over before the match ended in a draw.
Match Analysis
This was a high-scoring draw that gave both teams valuable championship points. Bahawalpur’s first innings total of 501 was built on solid contributions throughout the batting order. Saifullah Bangash’s 119 was the backbone of the innings, supported by useful fifties from Mohammad Imran (75), Saad Khan (74), Mohammad Ammar (71), and Mohammad Sheharyar (69).
Multan’s reply showed great character. After being reduced to 303/7, Bismillah Khan’s explosive century turned the match around. His quick-fire hundred off just 87 balls, featuring 14 boundaries and a six, was one of the most entertaining innings of the tournament so far. Ali Usman’s 113 earlier in the innings had kept Multan in the contest.
In the second innings, Ali Usman proved his worth as an all-rounder by taking five wickets to restrict Bahawalpur to 239. Mohammad Sheharyar remained unbeaten on 74 but couldn’t prevent the collapse. Ali Usman’s five-wicket haul meant Multan had a small target of 279 runs, but with only one over bowled, both teams had to settle for a draw.
The match showed the importance of lower-order batting in first-class cricket. Both teams had crucial contributions from their tail-enders, which kept the game competitive until the final day.
What’s Next
Both teams will look to build on this performance in their upcoming matches. The draw keeps both Bahawalpur Region and Multan Region in contention in the Quaid-e-Azam Trophy 2025 standings.
The 2025-26 Quaid-e-Azam Trophy features 10 teams playing in a round-robin format, with the top teams advancing to the final scheduled for November 29, 2025. This is the 68th edition of Pakistan’s premier first-class cricket tournament.
Bahawalpur’s next match is scheduled for October 30, 2025, while Multan will also be back in action around the same time as the tournament continues across four venues in Pakistan: Abbottabad Cricket Stadium, Shoaib Akhtar Stadium (Rawalpindi), Imran Khan Cricket Stadium (Peshawar), and the Diamond Club and Marghzar Cricket Grounds in Islamabad.
Article Published: October 27, 2025
Tournament: Quaid-e-Azam Trophy 2025-26 (68th Edition)
Venue: Diamond Club Ground, Islamabad, Pakistan