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LAHORE: Haroon Arshad’s second century of the season helped Karachi Blues gain a substantial lead in the second innings and set up a mammoth target against Sialkot in the final of the Quaid-e-Azam Trophy (QEAT) 2025-26 here at the Gaddafi Stadium on Thursday.
Sialkot closed the day four at 12 for no loss in pursuit of a 533-run target, with openers Azan Awais and Mohammad Hurraira remaining unbeaten on seven and five runs respectively.
Earlier, Karachi Blues were bowled out after piling a massive 458-run total on the board. They added 256 runs to their overnight score of 202-1, thanks to youngster Haroon Arshad’s sublime century.
Sialkot started the day on a positive note as Mohammad Hasnain removed the century maker Abdullah Fazal, who made 114 off 219 balls with the help of 13 fours.
However, seasoned batter Shan Masood paired up with Haroon in the middle, and the duo forged an 84-run stand for the third wicket.
Sialkot’s skipper Usama Mir returned figures of 5 for 98 as the defending champions were kept in the field for almost two days.
Mohammad Hasnain sent down 34 overs, taking 3-91, while off-spinner Hamza Nazar and Hasan Ali dismissed one batter each.
Shan – who registered his 59th first-class half-century – collected 76 runs off 107 balls, comprising nine fours.
The left-hander also went past the 13,000 first-class runs landmark in his 194th game in the format and 335th innings.
Haroon (116, 236b, 9x4s) brought up his second first-class century off 219 balls before Hamza removed him with a fine delivery that turned to hit the stumps going between his bat and pad in the 92nd over.
21 balls later, Usama bagged his first of five scalps, getting Saud Shakeel caught at slip as Karachi Blues lost seven wickets for 131 runs.
No.6 batter Usman Khan sped up Karachi’s pursuit for an insurmountable target as he contributed 47 off 57 balls, hitting four fours and three sixes, stitching 78 runs with Shan.
Rameez Aziz (30, 65b, 2x4s, 1×6) was the last wicket to fall after he accompanied the tail for 26, 13, and 13-run stands.
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