Karachi Region Blues secured a commanding 218-run victory over Peshawar Region in the 30th match of the Quaid-e-Azam Trophy at Islamabad from November 5 to 8, 2025. Wicketkeeper Saad Baig scored brilliant centuries in both innings (109 and 116), while pacer Mohammad Umar took six wickets in Peshawar’s first innings to set up the big win. The match ended on day four when Peshawar were bowled out for 291 runs while chasing a target of 510 runs.
Match Scorecard
| Team | 1st Innings | 2nd Innings | Result |
|---|---|---|---|
| Karachi Region Blues | 391 (107 overs) | 283/3d (61 overs) | Won by 218 runs |
| Peshawar Region | 165 (50.3 overs) | 291 (81.4 overs) | Lost |
Target: 510 runs
Venue: Islamabad
Match Duration: November 5-8, 2025
Top Performers
| Player | Team | Role | Performance |
|---|---|---|---|
| Saad Baig | Karachi Blues | Wicketkeeper-Batsman | 109 (210 balls) & 116 (153 balls) |
| Shan Masood | Karachi Blues | Batsman | 101* (99 balls) in 2nd innings |
| Mohammad Umar | Karachi Blues | Bowler | 6/30 in 1st innings |
| Mohammad Hamza | Karachi Blues | Bowler | 5/63 in 2nd innings |
| Iftikhar Ahmed | Peshawar | All-rounder | 108 (173 balls) in 2nd innings |
Key Moments
- Day 1: Karachi Blues finished at 323/7 with Saud Shakeel on 63 and Mohammad Hamza on 2 after 90 overs
- First Innings Domination: Saad Baig scored 109 runs off 210 balls with 13 fours and 2 sixes, while Usman Khan added 84 runs. Captain Saud Shakeel contributed 93 runs to help Karachi reach 391.
- Peshawar Collapse: Mohammad Umar destroyed Peshawar’s batting lineup with figures of 6/30, bowling them out for just 165 runs. This gave Karachi a massive 226-run first-innings lead.
- Second Century for Saad Baig: Saad Baig struck his second century of the match, scoring 116 off 153 balls. Shan Masood remained unbeaten on 101 runs off 99 balls, helping Karachi declare at 283/3.
- Day 3 Status: Peshawar ended day three at 92/4 with Israrullah on 34 and Iftikhar Ahmed on 34
- Iftikhar’s Brave Fight: Iftikhar Ahmed fought hard with 108 runs off 173 balls, but lacked support from other batsmen.
- Final Day: Mohammad Hamza picked up five wickets for 63 runs to bowl out Peshawar for 291, sealing a comprehensive victory for Karachi Blues.
Match Analysis
Karachi Region Blues showed complete dominance across all four days of this first-class match. The team’s batting depth was on full display with three batsmen scoring centuries across both innings. Saad Baig’s twin hundreds proved he is in excellent form this season.
The bowling attack was equally impressive. Mohammad Umar’s six-wicket haul in the first innings broke Peshawar’s backbone early. Mohammad Hamza then finished the job in the second innings with another five-wicket performance.
For Peshawar, the batting collapse in the first innings proved costly. Despite Iftikhar Ahmed’s fighting century in the second innings, the team could never recover from the massive 226-run deficit. The bowlers tried their best, but Karachi’s strong batting lineup was too good.
What’s Next
The Quaid-e-Azam Trophy 2025-26 continues with 46 matches scheduled across four venues in Pakistan. This victory will boost Karachi Region Blues’ confidence as they aim for a strong finish in the tournament. The team will look to carry this winning momentum into their next matches.
Peshawar Region will need to regroup quickly and address their batting weaknesses, especially against quality pace bowling. Their next match will be crucial for keeping their tournament hopes alive.