The opening day of the second round of the Quaid-e-Azam Trophy 2025-26 produced a mix of disciplined bowling and determined batting displays across four cities and five venues on Sunday, 12 October. The day’s highlights included Mohammad Rameez Jnr’s ninth first-class five-wicket haul and a commanding century from Islamabad’s Sarmad Bhatti.
At the Diamond Cricket Ground in Islamabad, Lahore Whites’ leg-spinner Mohammad Rameez Jnr continued his impressive red-ball form, claiming figures of 5-110 to help his side restrict Abbottabad to 273 for seven in 83 overs by stumps.
Abbottabad had begun strongly courtesy of an opening stand worth 104 runs between Shahzaib Khan (74 off 161 balls, 8x4s) and Yasir Khan (56 off 99, 5x4s, 2x6s). The pair set up a solid platform before Rameez broke through, removing both openers and later dismissing skipper Fakhar Zaman for a brisk 53 off 109 deliveries, as well as the rest of the top order.
At the Shoaib Akhtar Cricket Stadium in Rawalpindi, Islamabad built a strong total of 344 for five in 90 overs against Bahawalpur, thanks to a magnificent century from Sarmad Bhatti. The left-hander crafted 144 runs off 214 balls, striking 19 boundaries, to record his 10th first-class hundred.
He was well supported by Mohammad Hammad Khan, who remained unbeaten on 80 off 168 balls, and Raja Hamza Waheed, who struck a fluent 60 off 64 balls with ten fours. The duo rescued Islamabad after an early slump at 130-4, stitching together a 205-run partnership for the fifth wicket to put their side in command.
At the Abbottabad Cricket Stadium, Peshawar posted 271 all out in 63 overs against FATA. The innings was anchored by half-centuries from Israrullah (91 off 171 balls, 12x4s, 1×6) and Iftikhar Ahmed (78 off 84, 13x4s), who added a vital 134-run stand for the third wicket.
Lower down the order, Niaz Khan provided late acceleration with 47 off 60 balls (9x4s, 1×6), guiding Peshawar past the 250 mark. In reply, FATA openers Mohammad Farooq (34 not out) and Mohammad Naeem (24 not out) remained solid at 60 without loss by stumps, trimming the deficit to 211 runs.
At the Imran Khan Stadium in Peshawar, Faisalabad reached 203 for five in 77 overs against defending champions Sialkot. Atiq-ur-Rehman top-scored with an elegant 81 off 118 balls, featuring 13 boundaries, while Faham-ul-Haq displayed patience for his 51 off 174 balls. The pair laid the foundation for a competitive total before Mohammad Ali and Athar Mehmood struck twice each for Sialkot to peg Faisalabad back late in the day.
Meanwhile, at the Marghzar Cricket Ground in Islamabad, Karachi Blues ended the day at 49 for one, trailing Multan’s first-innings total of 260 by 211 runs.
Earlier, Multan were bowled out for 260 in 70.5 overs, with Arafat Minhas leading the way through a composed 77 off 111 balls (10x4s, 1×6). Waqar Hussain (50 off 84 balls) and Bismillah Khan (41) offered key contributions, while Karachi Blues’ bowlers shared wickets evenly — Danish Aziz (2-4), Rameez Aziz (2-13), Saqib Khan (2-51), and Muhammad Umar (2-63) all finishing with two apiece.
At stumps, Saad Baig was unbeaten on 30, keeping Karachi Blues steady in pursuit of first-innings parity.
Scores:
Lahore Whites v Abbottabad – Diamond Cricket Ground, Islamabad
Abbottabad 273-7, 83 overs (Shahzaib Khan 74, Yasir Khan 56, Fakhar Zaman 53; Mohammad Rameez Jnr 5-110, Saad Nasim 2-3)
Islamabad v Bahawalpur – Shoaib Akhtar Cricket Stadium, Rawalpindi
Islamabad 344-5, 90 overs (Sarmad Bhatti 144, Mohammad Hammad Khan 80*, Raja Hamza Waheed 60; Mohammad Azab 2-51, Gulfam Aziz 2-74)
Peshawar v FATA – Abbottabad Cricket Stadium, Abbottabad
Peshawar 271 all out, 63 overs (Israrullah 91, Iftikhar Ahmed 78, Niaz Khan 47; Sameen Gul 2-69, Akif Javed 2-70, Shahid Aziz 2-70)
FATA 60-0, 8 overs (Mohammad Farooq 34*, Mohammad Naeem 24*)
Faisalabad v Sialkot – Imran Khan Stadium, Peshawar
Faisalabad 203-5, 77 overs (Atiq-ur-Rehman 81, Faham-ul-Haq 51, Muhammad Awais Zafar 42*; Mohammad Ali 2-35, Athar Mehmood 2-46)
Karachi Blues v Multan – Marghzar Cricket Ground, Islamabad
Multan 260 all out, 70.5 overs (Arafat Minhas 77, Waqar Hussain 50; Danish Aziz 2-4, Rameez Aziz 2-13, Saqib Khan 2-51, Muhammad Umar 2-63)
Karachi Blues 49-1, 10 overs (Saad Baig 30*)
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