Karachi Blues set a huge target for Sialkot in QT final
Sialkot reach 12 without loss at stumps. Earlier Haroon Arshad (116), Abdullah Fazal (114) and Shan Masood (76) guide Karachi Blues to 458 in their second innings
By Alam Zeb Safi
LAHORE: Karachi Blues tightened their grip on the Quaid-e-Azam Trophy final on Thursday setting Sialkot a daunting 533-run target after stretching their second-innings total to 458 on the fourth day at the Gaddafi Stadium Lahore. Sialkot reached 12 without loss at stumps, leaving them with a monumental task on the final day.
Resuming at 202-1, Karachi Blues dominated the first two sessions, adding 256 runs before being bowled out late in the evening. Sialkot skipper Usama Mir led a tiring attack with figures of 5-98 from 28.4 overs, his fifth first-class five-wicket haul. Fast bowler Mohammad Hasnain supported him with 3-91 in a marathon 34-over effort.
Hasnain provided an early breakthrough when he bowled overnight centurion Abdullah Fazal for 114, ending a 170-run partnership built over 349 balls. Shan Masood then partnered Haroon Arshad to add 84 for the third wicket, keeping Sialkot in the field for a second consecutive day.
Shan struck 76 off 107 balls, hitting nine fours and reaching his 59th first-class half-century. During the innings, the veteran left-hander also crossed 13,000 career first-class runs in what was his 194th match. Haroon completed his second first-class hundred, making 116 off 236 deliveries before off-spinner Hamza Nazar bowled him with a turning delivery.
Karachi Blues, cruising at 318-2, faltered thereafter, losing seven wickets for 131 runs as Sialkot clawed back late in the day. Usama removed Saud Shakeel soon after Haroon’s dismissal to spark the collapse.
Usman Khan injected late momentum with a quick-fire 47 from 57 balls, including four fours and three sixes, putting on 78 with Shan. Rameez Aziz contributed 30 before becoming the final wicket to fall.
Sialkot, dismissed for 266 in their first innings, now face a record chase with all ten wickets intact heading into the final morning.
Summarised score (Day 4– Stumps)
Final: Sialkot v Karachi Blues, Gaddafi Stadium, Lahore
Target for Sialkot: 533
Karachi Blues: 340 all out (81.2 overs); 458 all out (133.4 overs)
Sialkot: 266 all out (71.5 overs) and 12-0 (4 overs)
