The second round of the Hanif Mohammad Trophy began under humid late-summer skies, spread across six centers of Pakistan. From Faisalabad to Hyderabad, from Karachi to Multan, young cricketers, seasoned veterans, and hopeful debutants took guard. Over four days, the country witnessed a mosaic of batting masterclasses, devastating bowling spells, rain interruptions, and gritty resistance.
Day One – Opening Gambits
The first morning in Faisalabad dawned cloudy, and Azad Jammu & Kashmir’s batsmen dug in against a probing attack. Hasnain Shamir’s fluent 88 and Hasan Raza’s steady 78 gave them respectability, reaching 286-8 by stumps. Faisalabad’s bowlers kept breaking through, but never decisively.
Far away in Hyderabad, the bats belonged to Saad Khan and Muhammad Sadam. Together, they stitched a partnership that suffocated Lahore Blues. Saad’s elegance on the off-side and Sadam’s patience turned into centuries – 164* and 128 respectively. By the end of play, Hyderabad sat at a commanding 361-2, the Blues already under pressure.
In Karachi, Quetta had Bismillah Khan’s defiance to thank. His 103 lifted them to 216 after early blows. Karachi Whites’ reply was brisk – openers Saad Baig and Jahanzaib Sultan marched off unbeaten at 75, the night already hinting at a looming dominance.
Up north in Rawalpindi, it was the bowlers’ day. Shahnawaz Dahani, full of fire, scythed through with 6-52 to limit Rawalpindi to 174. But Larkana were no better – crumbling to 107-6 by stumps, the match already hurtling ahead of schedule.
At Karachi’s other venue, Karachi Blues stumbled against FATA. Danish Aziz battled alone for the Blues, but Asif Afridi’s 6-49 pinned them to 220. FATA’s chase stuttered to 86-4 by stumps, with Danish himself striking thrice.
And in Multan, history was brewing. Dera Murad Jamali began brightly, Nasir Khan standing tall at 131* as his side posted 272-4 by stumps. But all eyes were on Imam-ul-Haq, already looking ominous as he reached 176* before the close. The ground buzzed with whispers: “Could this be the big one?”
Day Two – The Pendulum Swings
Morning brought collapses and counterpunches. In Faisalabad, AJK were dismissed for 298. Faisalabad’s reply was controlled – Muhammad Awais Zafar’s textbook strokes carried him to a serene 117* by the close, supported by Atiq-ur-Rehman’s 65.
Hyderabad, meanwhile, stretched their advantage. Saad Khan completed his 175 before Lahore Blues found a belated breakthrough. A mountain of 524 stood on the board. The Blues, under darkening skies, were in tatters at 117-4. Only Mohammad Saleem held firm on 66*.
Karachi Whites batted with authority. Saad Baig’s majestic 146 and Jahanzaib Sultan’s 118 powered them to a towering 542-7 declared. Quetta, facing a 326-run deficit, were on the ropes.
In Rawalpindi, Yasir Khan fought back for the home side. His 104 gave Rawalpindi a grip on the match as they closed the day with a lead of nearly 300.
Over at Karachi’s second game, Danish Aziz kept producing magic. After rescuing Blues with a fifty, he turned tormentor again with the ball, taking 5-40 to dismiss FATA for 165. By stumps, Blues had stretched their lead to 250 – Ghazi Ghori 73, Danish himself 56.
And in Multan, Imam-ul-Haq silenced all whispers. With Sharoon Siraj joining him, Imam pressed on relentlessly. By stumps, he was past 250, Sharoon steady at the other end. Dera Murad Jamali’s bowlers wilted under the sun.
Day Three – Heroics and Resistance
Rain became a villain in parts of the country. Faisalabad’s clash slowed as Awais Zafar completed a fine 127 before falling, Ali Shan grinding out an unbeaten 94*. Faisalabad reached 413, securing a 115-run lead. AJK, shaky at 51-4, prayed for rain clouds.
In Hyderabad, the rain fell harder. Mohammad Saleem’s lone battle was rewarded with a century – 112*, carved against the odds. Blues crawled to 198-5, the skies taking over afterwards, washing away hope of a result.
Karachi Whites were ruthless. Saifullah Bangash’s unbeaten 100 piled more misery on Quetta. Yet, from the rubble, Salahuddin emerged. Calm, unhurried, he stood firm with 95* at the close, Quetta still trailing by over a hundred.
Rawalpindi saw the match tilt heavily. Mubasir Khan lit up the day – first with 85 off just 58 balls to power Rawalpindi’s total to 383, then with the ball, wrecking Larkana alongside Mehran Mumtaz. Chasing 398, Larkana fell apart, Mubasir grabbing six wickets in a dream all-round show.
The Karachi Blues–FATA tie turned into a thriller. Blues were bowled out for 214, setting 270. FATA’s chase was nervy, but Mohammad Usman’s fluent 69 and Sarwar Afridi’s unbeaten 59 carried them tantalizingly close. They ended the day at 270-5, victory sealed with grit.
And in Multan, history was written. Imam-ul-Haq, with steely concentration, reached a majestic 330 before falling. Sharoon Siraj’s 126* helped Multan declare at 664-5, a monstrous 303-run lead. DM Jamali were already 120-5 at stumps, defeat staring them in the face.
Day Four – Endgames and Rain
In Faisalabad, rain refused to relent. Not a ball was bowled, and AJK were spared from an inevitable collapse. The match drifted into a draw.
In Hyderabad, the heavens opened too. Saleem’s century went down as the story of the match, but the draw was inevitable.
Karachi, though, gave drama. Salahuddin’s lone vigil blossomed into a defiant 123, but Mohammad Raza’s 4-75 ensured Quetta’s resistance was cut short at 331. Karachi Whites needed just six runs, and they knocked them off in four balls. A 10-wicket win, emphatic as it gets.
Rawalpindi had already sealed their triumph by 202 runs, Mubasir’s heroics the headline.
FATA celebrated the most spirited win of the round – chasing 270 in 89 overs, grinding Karachi Blues into submission. Their five-wicket victory was a testament to balance and belief.
And in Multan, Faisal Akram delivered the final blows. His 5-29 ended DM Jamali’s fight at 142. Multan’s innings-and-161-run victory was crowned by Imam’s towering 330, a knock that will echo through the season.
Heroes of Round Two
Round two left its marks. Imam-ul-Haq’s triple ton, a mountain of runs. Saad Khan’s effortless 175, Salahuddin’s lonely 123, Saleem’s defiant century under clouds, Mubasir’s rare all-round brilliance, Danish Aziz’s double role of rescuer and destroyer, and the fire of Asif Afridi and Dahani with the ball.
Rain may have stolen results in Faisalabad and Hyderabad, but across the rest of Pakistan, cricket was alive, brutal, and beautiful.
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