Iftikhar’s 5-52 debutant Barki’s 71 seal Peshawar’s Wins

News Desk

Islamabad: Peshawar recorded their second successive victory in the third round of the Quaid-e-Azam Trophy 2025, defeating Bahawalpur by eight wickets on the third day at the Shoaib Akhtar Cricket Stadium, Rawalpindi.

Debutant Muhammad Amir Barki shone with an unbeaten 71 off 51 balls, including six fours and five sixes, as Peshawar chased down a 115-run target in just 16 overs. Earlier, skipper Iftikhar Ahmed completed his second five-wicket haul in first-class cricket, returning figures of 5-52 to dismiss Bahawalpur for 261 in their second innings, after they resumed the day at 218-7.

In Abbottabad, Multan strengthened their position against Faisalabad after Arafat Minhas smashed his maiden first-class century, scoring a blistering 152 not out off 163 balls with 22 fours and three sixes. His effort powered Multan to 551-9 declared, giving them a massive 339-run first-innings lead. Arafat also shared a 177-run partnership with Ali Usman (63).

By stumps, Faisalabad were 223-5 in their second innings, still trailing by 116 runs. Asim Ali Nasir anchored the innings with an unbeaten 85, while Ali Shan (11 not out) was at the crease alongside him at close.

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At Marghzar Cricket Ground, Islamabad put up a strong fight chasing a mammoth 524-run target set by Abbottabad. Young opener Raja Hamza Waheed (112 not out) and first-innings centurion Shamyl Hussain (81) stitched together a 124-run stand for the second wicket, helping Islamabad reach 234-2 in 43 overs by the end of day three.

Earlier, Abbottabad declared their innings at 314-9, thanks to half-centuries from Fakhar Zaman (74), Ahmed Khan (57*), Yasir Khan (56), and Mohammad Bilal (54).

At the Diamond Cricket Ground, Sialkot took control of their match against Lahore Whites. Centuries from Mohsin Riaz (100 not out) and a near-ton from Mohammad Huraira (90) lifted Sialkot to 402-7 declared in their second innings, setting Lahore a daunting 524-run target. By stumps, Lahore Whites were 18-1, still needing 372 runs to win.

Sialkot’s dominance was built on key partnerships — Huraira and Aashar Mehmood (79) added 146 runs for the third wicket, while Mohsin and Ayaz Tasawar (59) shared a 130-run stand. Lahore’s Ubaid Shah took 3-65 in 20.3 overs.

Meanwhile, in Peshawar, FATA tightened their grip on Karachi Blues, reducing them to 67-4 at stumps in pursuit of a 296-run target at the Imran Khan Stadium. Captain Rameez Aziz (10*) and nightwatchman Mohammad Asghar were at the crease, with 229 runs still required for victory.

Earlier, FATA, holding a 105-run first-innings lead, were bowled out for 190 despite a solid start from openers Mohammad Usman (56) and Mohammad Farooq (54). Karachi’s Mohammad Asghar (4-28) and Saqib Khan (4-47) shared eight wickets to trigger the collapse.