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RAWALPINDI: Shan Masood and Saad Baig starred as Karachi Blues sealed a three-wicket victory over reigning champions Sialkot Region to storm into the Quaid-e-Azam Trophy (QEAT) 2025-26 final.
Sialkot resumed their second innings from 217-7 on the fourth and final day of the match here at the Shoaib Akhtar Cricket Stadium.
The defending champions were in a dominant position with a lead of 168 runs, adding 48 runs before being bundled out for 260 in 83 overs.
Hamza Nazar top-scored with 66 off 81 while wicket-keeper batter Afzal Manzoor made an unbeaten 48 from 112 balls.
For Karachi Blues, Kashif Bhatti starred with the ball and claimed a five-wicket haul, followed by Mohammad Asghar, who picked up three scalps.
Karachi Blues started positively in a 12-run chase, with Pakistan Test skipper Shan Masood and Saad Baig setting the tone early for a victory with a 133-run partnership between them.
After losing Abdullah Fazal early with just three on the board, both Shan and Saad demonstrated maturity and took their side out of trouble.
Shan made 86 from 112, whereas Saad managed to score a brisk 68 from 96 balls.
17-year-old Haroon Arshad was the other notable contributor with a 30 off 45 balls with the aid of four boundaries.
For Sialkot, Mehran Mumtaz remained clinical with the ball and took four wickets. Meanwhile, after starring with the bat, Hamza also chipped with the ball and scalped two wickets.
With this, Karachi Blues registered their fifth win in the tournament and third in a row. On the contrary, Sialkot suffered its first defeat after winning five games and salvaging three draws.
The other finalist is yet to be decided following the conclusion of the final round tomorrow.
The summit clash of the 22nd edition of the tournament will be played from November 29 to December 3, with the final venue yet to be decided.
