Karachi Blues’ opening batter Saad Baig became the first player to reach the 1,000-run milestone in the 2025-26 Quaid-e-Azam Trophy.
On Day 3 of the ongoing final at Gaddafi Stadium, Lahore, Abdullah Fazal produced a brilliant century to propel Karachi Blues to a 276-run lead in their second innings. At stumps, Karachi Blues were 202-1 in 64 overs, with Abdullah unbeaten on 104 from 200 balls, including 11 fours, while Haroon Arshad remained 55 not out off 145 deliveries.
Earlier in the day, Sialkot were bowled out for 266, having resumed from 235-6 overnight. Abdullah and Haroon came together with the score at 53-1 in just 11.4 overs and then put on an unbroken 149-run partnership, keeping the Sialkot bowlers at bay for 314 deliveries.
Left-handed opener Abdullah, following up on his first innings 88, reached his half-century off 91 balls before converting it into his second first-class century of the season from 193 balls. Haroon Arshad registered his maiden first-class fifty off 128 balls, adding to his debut century earlier in the tournament.
Karachi Blues had started the day by quickly wrapping up Sialkot’s innings. In the first 65 balls, they claimed four wickets for 31 runs, dismissing the defending champions for 266 in 71.5 overs and securing a 74-run first-innings lead. Pacers Saqib Khan and Muhammad Umar led the charge, each finishing with identical figures of 4-79 in 23.5 and 24 overs, respectively.
Sialkot’s lower order offered some resistance. Hamza Nazar scored 64 off 126 balls with eight fours before being caught by Haroon Arshad at gully off Umar, ending a 75-run seventh-wicket stand that had lifted Sialkot from 170-6 to 245-7.
Hasan Ali added a brisk 41 off 43 balls, featuring three fours and two sixes, before being caught behind by Saad Baig, marking his 24th catch of the tournament. Usama Mir and Hasnain fell shortly after, attempting big shots that resulted in easy catches at mid-on and short midwicket.
Karachi Blues began their second innings confidently, reaching 55-1 in 14 overs by lunch. Saad Baig departed two overs before the interval for 31 off 39 balls, including four boundaries, but not before becoming the first batter since Mohammad Hurraira in 2022-23 to reach 1,000 runs in a single Quaid-e-Azam Trophy season.
Saad’s innings ended when Hasnain induced an outside edge, which Abdullah Shafique could only get fingertips to at second slip before Usama Mir completed the catch at first slip, breaking the 53-run opening partnership with Abdullah Fazal.
