National T20 Cup Qualifier (2026): Discussion Thread

[BouncerGuy]

The National T20 Cup Qualifier 2025–26 is underway at the Gaddafi Stadium, Lahore, having kicked off on Saturday, 14 February.

A total of 10 regional teams are competing, split into two groups of five. The group toppers will advance to the 10‑team main event scheduled for late February and March. The final of the Qualifier, featuring the top two sides from each group, will be played on 24 February at the same venue. In all, 21 matches, including the fina,l will be contested.

Group A (Pool A): Azad Jammu & Kashmir (AJK), Islamabad, Karachi Blues, Larkana, Quetta

Group B (Pool B): Bahawalpur, Dera Murad Jamali, FATA, Hyderabad, Rawalpindi

Squads:

Azad Jammu and Kashmir

Hasan Raza (captain), Adil Azad, Amir Nazir (wk), Aqib Liaqat, Arslan Mahzood, Awais Akram, Faizan Saleem, Hasnain Shamir, Husnain Nadeem, Jawad Imtiaz, Nadeem Khalil, Saad Asif, Umer Hayat, Usman Yousuf and Zaman Khan

Bahawalpur

Mohammad Imran (captain), Ali Afzal, Ali Hamza, Ali Shabbir, Faizan Zafar, Khaqan Basheer, Mohammad Sudais, Muhammad Akram, Muhammad Ammar, Muhammad Azab, Muhammad Basit, Muhammad Faizan, Muhammad Junaid, Muhammad Umair and Shahid Mirani

Dera Murad Jamali

Fahad Hussain (captain), Basit Ali, Dawood Khan, Farhan Ullah, Muhammad Ali, Muhammad Khan, Muhammad Shahid, Nasir Khan, Rasool Baksh, Sajjad Ahmed, Sajjad Ali, Saleem Mal, Shoaib Ahmed, Taimur Ali and Tariq Jameel

FATA

Asif Afridi (captain), Afaq Afridi, Azaz Khan, Khubaib Khalil, Khushdil Shah, Maaz Khan, Muhammad Farooq, Muhammad Naeem, Muhammad Sarwar, Muhammad Waseem Khan, Rehan Afridi, Salman Khan, Sameen Gul, Samiullah Jnr and Sirajuddin

Hyderabad

Sharjeel Khan (captain), Akbar Khan, Asad Malik, Daniyal Rajput, Haris Khanzada, Jawad Ali, Mohammad Hasnain, Muhammad Meesam, Mustafa Nasir, Noman Ali, Rizwan Mehmood, Shehryar Baloch, Suleman Khan, Ubaidullah Rahupoto and Zain-ul-Abedeen

Islamabad

Umair Riaz (captain), Arsal Sheikh, Farhan Ali, Farman Ullah, Hammad Siddique, Hamza Waheed, Haris Rauf, Kaleem Dil, Rizwan Ali, Musa Khan, Naseerullah, Shahbaz Khan, Shayan Sheikh, Umair and Umar Nawaz

Karachi Blues

Muhammad Ghazi Ghori (captain), Aarish Ali Khan, Ahsan Ali, Fahad Amin, Jahanzaib Sultan, Maaz Khurram Amin, Muhammad Afzal, Muhammad Raza Chandio, Muhammad Taha, Muhammad Usman Rahim, Rameez Aziz, Rehman Ghani, Syed Shah Raza, Wajah Riaz and Zeeshan Zameer

Larkana

Zahid Mehmood (captain), Aamir Ali Taheem, Ali Asghar, Asif Chandio, Ghulam Raza, Malhar Rasool, Mohsin Raza, Muhammad Aqeel Danish, Muhammad Huzaifa, Mushtaq Ahmed, Sabit Ali Siyal, Saqlain Nawaz Rajput, Shahnawaz Dahani, Shahzaib Aziz and Zahid Hussain

Quetta

Jalat Khan (captain), Abdul Hameed, Abdul Hanan, Abdul Wahid Bangalzai, Bismillah Khan, Bohair Aman, Haseebullah, Jahangir Shah, Khalil Ahmed, Muhammad Ibrahim, Muhammad Idrees, Muhammad Junaid, Najeed Ullah, Salahuddin and Yasir Khan

Rawalpindi

Haider Ali (captain), Abdul Faseeh, Abdul Qadir, Ali Husnain, Jahandad Khan, Kashif Ali, M Faizan, Mehran Mumtaz, Mubasir Khan, Muhammad Nabeel, Nasir Nawaz, Shahbaz Tabrez, Taimur Khan, Yasir Khan and Zeeshan Malik

 

[BouncerGuy]

National T20 Cup Qualifier 2025-26

Match 1 - Karachi Region Blues v Quetta Region at Gaddafi Stadium, Lahore

Toss news

Karachi Blues won the toss and elected to bowl

 

[The Bald Eagle]

Karachi Blues, Islamabad win their matches on opening day of National T20 Cup Qualifier

Lahore, 14 February 2026:

Karachi Region Blues and Islamabad Region secured victories against Quetta Region and Larkana Region respectively, on the first day of National T20 Cup Qualifier on Saturday here at the Gaddafi Stadium in Lahore.

In the first game of the day, Karachi Blues won the toss and put Quetta in to bat first. Top-scorer Haseebullah (50 not out, 3x4s, 6x2s) and opening batter Syed Jahangir Shah (39, 5x4s, 1x6) shared a 49-run partnership for the second wicket to lift their side to a fighting 146-5.

No.6 batter Mohammad Junaid also chipped in with a 10-ball 18 hitting two sixes towards the end.

For Karachi Blues, Mohammad Fahad Ameen (3-0-31-2) picked up two wickets while Wahaj Riaz (1-24), Zeeshan Zameer (1-24) and Mohammad Raza Chandio (1-26) bagged one wicket apiece.

In response, Karachi Blues slipped to 62-4 in 9.3 overs after being 43-1 in 6.4 overs. Number three batter Mohammad Taha stuck around for a handy 43 off 29 balls including seven fours and one six.

Player of the match Muhammad Usman Raheem top-scored with an unbeaten 55 off 40 balls, hitting seven fours and one six. Blues, who needed 18 off the last two overs, were aided by Raza Chandio’s cameo of 11 off four balls, featuring one four and one six, sealing the victory with four balls and as many wickets remaining.

In the second game, Larkana won the toss and put Islamabad in to bat first, who lost opening batter Ali Imran (3, 5b) in the third over as the scoreboard read 18-1 after 2.2 overs.

Raja Hamza Waheed (40, 27b, 3x4s, 3x6s) then shared a 67-run alliance with skipper Muhammad Umair Riaz, who top-scored with unbeaten 73 off 50 balls, hitting eight fours and one six.

Umair also shared an unbeaten 115-run partnership with number five batter Rizwan Ali who also contributed a quick-fire 68 not out off 36 balls, aided by nine fours and one six as Islamabad posted 207-3 in their 20 overs. Larkana’s skipper Zahid Mehmood picked up one for 27 in his four overs.

In reply, Larkana started swiftly, fetching 20 runs off the first two overs. However, their advance was cut short as Umair Afridi removed opening batter Aqeel Danish (3, 7b).

Top-scorer Malhar Rasool contributed 56 off 40 balls, striking four fours and three sixes, but his effort went in vain as only two other batters reached double figures and Larkana were bowled out for 129 in 17.4 overs, falling 78 runs short. No.4 batter Sabit Ali was retired hurt as Larkana lost eight for 56.

Left-arm pacer Umair Afridi led Islamabad attack from front with 3-29 in 3.4 overs, while spinners Arsal (4-0-14-2) and Farman Ullah (4-0-24-2) shared four wickets between them.

Scores in brief:

Match 1 – Karachi Region Blues beat Quetta Region by four wickets at Gaddafi Stadium, Lahore

Quetta Region 146-5, 20 overs (Haseebullah 50 not out, Syed Jahangir Shah 39; Muhammad Fahad Ameen 2-31)

Karachi Region Blues 150-6, 19.2 overs (Mohammad Usman Raheem 55 not out, Mohammad Taha 43; Mohammad Ibrahim 2-25)

Player of the match - Mohammad Usman Raheem (Karachi Region Blues)

Match 2 – Islamabad Region beat Larkana Region by 78 runs at Gaddafi Stadium, Lahore

Islamabad Region 207-3, 20 overs (Muhammad Umair Riaz 73 not out, Rizwan Ali 68 not out, Raja Hamza Waheed 40; Zahid Mehmood 1-27)

Larkana Region 129 all out, 17.4 overs (Malhar Rasool 56; Umair Afridi 3-29, Muhammad Arsal Shaikh 2-14, Farman Ullah 2-24)

Player of the match - Muhammad Umair Riaz (Islamabad)

 

[KingOfPakBreakfast]

Cool to see Zeeshan Zameer back in some capacity.

 

[Omer2002]

Qualifiers are also being televised so there will be another t 20 after this

 

[Ball Blazer]

National T20 Cup Qualifier

Match 3

Rawalpindi won the toss and elected to field against FATA at Gaddafi Stadium, Lahore

 

[Savak]

A countries domestic cricket tournament and the players you see are the raw material which gets fed into the Pakistani team. I saw the highlights of the first two games purely out of interest with the question i.e. do we have any youngsters or domestic players who can play the role Abhishek Sharma, Ishan Kishan, Tillak Varma, Suryakumar Yadav, Shivam Dube, Hardhik Pandya, Rinku Singh play for India

So far the standard has been very poor. We just don't have the batters who even meet the eye test.

 

[Cricket Warrior]

Hyderabad overcome Dera Murad Jamali in a thrilling contest decided by super over

• FATA beat Rawalpindi by 41 runs as two matches were played on second day of National T20 Cup Qualifier

• FATA’s Afaq Afridi picked up a five-for, while Khushdil Shah scored 94 not out to lift his team from 18-4

• DM Jamali’s Nasir Khan scored half-century as his team came from behind to tie the game against Hyderabad

Lahore, 15 February 2026:

FATA Region and Hyderabad Region secured victories against Rawalpindi Region and Dera Murad Jamali Region, respectively on the second day of ABN Developers present University of Lahore National T20 Cup Qualifier on Sunday here at the Gaddafi Stadium in Lahore.

After being put in to bat first, Hyderabad posted 178-7 in their allotted 20 overs. Daniyal Rajput remained unbeaten scoring 44 off 17 balls, hitting two fours and five sixes after walking in to bat 118-4 in 15 overs.

No.3 batter Haris Khan also chipped in with a 39-ball 41 including four fours and one six, while opening batter Sharjeel Khan scored 33 off 25 balls featuring six fours.

For Dera Murad Jamali, Farhan Ullah bagged two for 31 in four overs, while Nasir Khan also picked up two for 38.

In a chase that went down to the wire, DM Jamali managed to score 178-8 in 20 overs, after requiring 19 to win off the last over.

For Dera Murad Jamali, opening batter Nasir Khan top-scored with a 35-ball 51 hitting five fours and one six, while Muhammad Khan chipped in with a 17-ball 30 featuring two fours and as many sixes to keep their team in the hunt.

Muhammad Shahid turned the tide in DM Jamali’s favour by scoring 32 not out from 18 balls, hitting three fours and two sixes as they fetched 27 off the last two overs to take the game to super over. Shahid had walked in at 125-4 when his team required 54 runs in 38 balls.

For Hyderabad, Mohammad Hasnain picked up two for 27, while Sheharyar Baloch also bagged two wickets for 39 runs.

DM Jamali managed to score four runs in the super over, which was bowled by Hasnain. Hyderabad chased down the five-run target off five deliveries.

In the first game of the day, Rawalpindi won the toss and put FATA in to bat first. Jahandad Khan (4-0-39-3) removed the top three batters, while Test fast bowler Kashif Ali (4-0-29-1) also picked up a wicket to reduce FATA to 18-4 after 4.1 overs.

Player of the match Khushdil Shah (94 not out, 57b, 8x4s, 4x6s) then provided his side with some respite as he shared a 63-run alliance with Muhammad Sarwar who perished after scoring a 22-ball 27 including four fours as the scoreboard read 81-5 after 11.5 overs.

Khushdil, who scored his 18th T20 half-century, then shared an unbeaten 81-run seventh wicket partnership with Khubaib Khalil (20 not out, 16b, 1x4, 1x6) to lift FATA to 168-6 in 20 overs.

Apart from Jahandad and Kashif, off-spinner Mubasir Khan bagged two for 29 in for overs.

In reply, Rawalpindi lost three wickets in the space of first ten deliveries of their innings for just three runs on the board. Opening batter Nasir Nawaz (39, 38b, 5x4s) and Mubasir (34, 33b, 3x4s, 1x6) then knitted a 63-run partnership for the fourth wicket.

FATA struck back to take three wickets in a space of six balls in 12th and 13th over to reduce Rawalpindi to 73-6 after 12.4 overs. Despite Jahandad’s (19, 9b, 2x4s, 1x6) late surge, Rawalpindi fell 41 runs short of the target as they were bowled out for 127 in 18 overs.

Afaq Afridi starred with impressive figures of 4-1-24-5. Sirajuddin (3-0-10-2) and Muhammad Sarwar (4-0-40-2) also picked two wickets apiece.

Scores in brief:

Match 3 – FATA beat Rawalpindi by 41 runs at Gaddafi Stadium, Lahore

FATA 168-6, 20 overs (Khushdil Shah 94 not out, Muhammad Sarwar 27, Khubaib Khalil 20 not out; Jahandad Khan 3-39, Mubasir Khan 2-29)

Rawalpindi 127 all out, 18 overs (Nasir Nawaz 39, Mubasir Khan 34; Afaq Afridi 5-24, Siraj Uddin 2-10, Muhammad Sarwar 2-40)

Player of the match - Khushdil Shah (FATA Region)

Match 4 – Match tied between Hyderabad and Dera Murad Jamali at Gaddafi Stadium, Lahore

Hyderabad won the super over

Hyderabad 178-7, 20 overs (Daniyal Rajput 44 not out, Haris Khan 41, Sharjeel Khan 33; Farhanullah 2-31, Nasir Khan 2-38)

Dera Murad Jamali 178-8, 20 overs (Nasir Khan 51, Muhammad Shahid 32 not out, Muhammad Khan 30; Mohammad Hasnain 2-27, Sheharyar Baloch 2-39)

Player of the match - Daniyal Rajput (Hyderabad Region)

 

[Omer2002]

There will be no talent here as this are qualifiers...

 

[Ball Blazer]

ABN Developers present University of Lahore National T20 Cup Qualifier 2025-26

Match 5 - Karachi Blues v Larkana at Gaddafi Stadium, Lahore

Toss - Karachi Blues won the toss and elected to bowl first

 

[Cricket Warrior]

Karachi Blues, Islamabad seal victories on day three of National T20 Cup Qualifier

Karachi Region Blues and Islamabad Region secured victories against Larkana Region and Azad Jammu and Kashmir (AJK) Region respectively on the third day of ABN Developers present University of Lahore National T20 Cup Qualifier on Monday here at the Gaddafi Stadium in Lahore.

Both the teams have strengthened their chances of qualification from Group A after winning back-to-back games with two more games to go for each. Only the table topper will qualify for the final and the main round of the National T20 Cup.

In the first match, after putting Larkana in to bat first, Karachi Region Blues kept their batters in check by picking up wickets at regular intervals removing five batters for 61 runs on the board in nine overs. Only opening batter Malhar Rasool (41, 25b, 6x4s, 1x6) made an impact from the top order.

Coming in to bat at no.7, Larkana skipper Zahid Mehmood top-scored with an unbeaten 48 off 32 deliveries while sharing a 75-run partnership for the sixth wicket with Muhammad Huzaifa (31, 36b, 3x4s).

No.8 batter Mushtaq Ahmed’s 15 off six deliveries including two sixes at the death meant that Larkana finished their innings on 160-7.

For Karachi, Wahaj Riaz returned figures of 3-0-14-3 including the scalp of Malhar in the ninth over.

In response, Karachi lost opening batter Jahanzaib Sultan (5, 12b, 1x4) in the third over with 12 runs on the board. Top-scorer Ahsan Ali (65, 38b, 5x4s, 4x6s) then put together a 57-run alliance with no.3 batter Muhammad Taha, who also chipped in with a 28-ball 38, hitting six fours and a solitary six.

After losing Taha in the 10th over, Karachi lost three more wickets in quick succession, slipping to 118-5 after 14.4 overs. Wahaj then chipped in with 16 off 14 balls including one four.

With four required from the final over and one off the final ball, wicketkeeper-batter Muhammad Ghazi Ghori pierced the field for a four to seal the win for his side, finishing on an unbeaten 19 off 13 balls, comprising of two fours.

For Larkana, Ali Asghar picked up three wickets for 29 runs in three overs.

In the second game of the day, AJK elected to bat first against Islamabad and made a healthy start with the opening batters putting on a 90-run stand. Husnain Nadeem scored 46 off 29 balls including seven fours, while top-scorer Hasnain Shamir starred with a 49-ball 69, hitting nine fours and two sixes.

No.3 batter Awais Minhas scored 24 off 17 balls, featuring three fours. AJK were given a late push by Arslan Mahzood (12 not out, 6b, 1x4, 1x6) and Aqib Liaqat (18, 5b, 1x4, 2x6s) as they were lifted to 187-5 in their 20 overs.

For Islamabad, Umair Afridi picked up two wickets for 34 runs in his four overs.

In pursuit of the 188-run target, Islamabad were provided a flying start as they raced to 42 in 3.2 overs before opening batter Raja Hamza Waheed (25, 12b, 2x4s, 2x6s) was dismissed by Faizan Saleem (3-0-36-2).

In his subsequent over, Faizan got rid of the second AJK opening batter Ali Imran (21, 16b, 4x4s) as well with 63 runs on the board. Islamabad had accumulated 74 runs for the loss of two wickets at the end of the powerplay.

Top scorer Naseerullah then smashed the fastest half-century of the tournament, scoring 55 off 30 balls, aided by two fours and four sixes.

Naseer also shared a 90-run partnership with skipper Mohammed Umair Riaz (35, 33b, 3x4s) and after latter’s departure, Shahbaz Khan struck two fours and as many sixes in his breezy nine-ball 25. Islamabad chased down the target in 18.5 overs with five wickets in hand and went to the top of the table.

For AJK, Faizan and Saad Asif (3-0-32-2) shared four wickets.

Scores in brief:

Match 5 – Karachi Region Blues beat Larkana Region by three wickets at Gaddafi Stadium, Lahore

Larkana Region 160-7, 20 overs (Zahid Mehmood 48 not out, Malhar Rasool 41, Mohammed Huzaifa 31; Wahaj Riaz 3-14)

Karachi Region Blues 164-7, 20 overs (Ahsan Ali 65, Mohammed Taha 38, Muhammad Ghazi Ghori 19 not out; Ali Asghar 3-29)

Player of the match - Wahaj Riaz (Karachi Region Blues)

Match 6 – Islamabad Region beat AJK Region by five wickets at Gaddafi Stadium, Lahore

AJK Region 187-5, 20 overs (Hasnain Shamir 69, Husnain Nadeem 46, Awais Akram Minhas 24; Umair Afridi 2-34)

Islamabad Region 188-5, 18.5 overs, (Naseerullah Khan 55, Mohammed Umair Riaz 35, Shahbaz Khan 25, Raja Hamza Waheed 25, Ali Imran 21; Saad Asif 2-32, Faizan Saleem 2-36)

Player of the match - Naseerullah Khan (Islamabad Region)

Tuesday’s fixtures (All matches at Gaddafi Stadium, Lahore)

Group B

FATA v DM Jamali – 4pm PKT

Rawalpindi v Bahawalpur – 8.30pm PKT

 

[BouncerGuy]

National T20 Cup Qualifier

Match 7

FATA won the toss and elected to bat first against Dera Murad Jamali

 

[Cricket Warrior]

Mehran Mumtaz takes career best 5-12 as Rawalpindi thump Bahawalpur for first win

FATA Region and Rawalpindi Region registered victories against Dera Murad Jamali Region and Bahawalpur Region, respectively as action unfolded in Pool B of the ABS Developers present University of Lahore National T20 Cup Qualifier here at the Gaddafi Stadium in Lahore on Tuesday.

In the second match of the day, Rawalpindi’s left-arm spinner Mehran Mumtaz bowled his team to a crucial victory with outstanding figures of five for 12 in three overs. Off-spinner Mubasir Khan picked up four for 43 as Bahawalpur were bowled out for 110 in 14.5 overs in pursuit of a 182-run target.

Mehran bagged his maiden T20 and white-ball five-for eclipsing his previous best figures of 3-20 in T20s and 3-14 in List A cricket. Bahawalpur were 92-2 in 11 overs, requiring another 90 runs in 54 balls when Mehran ripped their batting apart taking five wickets in a span of 10 balls.

The left-arm spinner struck twice in 12th over to remove Bahawalpur’s top scorers Mohammad Sudais (48, 38b, 6x4s, 2x6s) and Mohammad Umair (18, 17b, 2x4s) before returning to bowl a three-wicket over in the 14th. Bahawalpur lost eight for 18 in a spectacular collapse succumbing to defeat in their opening game of the tournament.

Earlier, Rawalpindi elected to bat first and posted 181-4 in their 20 overs highlighted by Mubasir Khan’s unbeaten 30-ball 45 at no.5 comprising of five fours and one six.

Mubasir also shared a 67-run partnership for fourth wicket with Haider Ali, who scored 43 off 22 balls, featuring four fours and two sixes. Opening batters Yasir Khan (27, 26b, 4x4s) and Nasir Nawaz (25, 22b, 5x4s) shared a 55-run opening stand to provide a head start.

Taimur Khan remained unbeaten for 18 off eight balls striking two sixes. For Bahawalpur, Muhammad Junaid bagged two wickets for 27 runs in three overs.

In the first match of the day, FATA bagged their second consecutive win beating Dera Murad Jamali Region by 74 runs to remain top of the table in Pool B. After opting to bat first, FATA lost opening batter Mohammad Farooq for a golden duck and then slipped to 71-4.

Among the four batters to depart only Mohammad Naeem entered double figures and scored 21 off 17 balls hitting two fours and one six.

FATA’s no.3 batter Rehan Afridi top-scored with unbeaten 76 off 52 balls striking eight fours and two sixes. Rehan also combined with Mohammad Sarwar Afridi to form an 88-run alliance off 52 balls for the fifth wicket, before the latter was sent back in the hut after scoring a quickfire 31-ball 63 laced with four fours and five sixes.

No.7 batter Muhammad Wasim Khan chipped in with an unbeaten 13 off six deliveries, hitting one four and one six, lifting his side to 194-5 in their 20 overs.

For Dera Murad Jamali, Saleem Mal (4-0-42-2) and Muhammad Shahid (4-0-50-2) shared four wickets between them, while Fahad Hussain returned figures of 4-0-18-1.

Dera Murad Jamali, in reply, were bowled out for 120 in 19.1 overs collapsing from 85-2 and losing their last eight wickets for 35 runs. Only top-scorer Dawood Khan (52, 34b, 5x4s, 3x6s) and opening batter Nasir Khan (20, 25b, 3x4s) managed to get into double figures. They also shared a 43-run partnership for second wicket.

For FATA, Khushdil Shah starred with his best bowling figures in a 221-match T20 career as he bagged four wickets for 28 runs in his four overs. Afaq Afridi, Sirajuddin and Khubaib Khalil picked up two wickets each.

Scores in brief:

Match 7: FATA Region beat Dera Murad Jamali Region by 74 runs at Gaddafi Stadium, Lahore.

FATA 194-5, 20 overs (Rehan Afridi 76 not out, Muhammad Sarwar Afridi 63, Muhammad Naeem 21; Saleem Mal 2-42, Muhammad Shahid 2-50)

Dera Murad Jamali 120 all out, 19.1 overs (Dawood Khan 52, Nasir Khan 20; Khushdil Shah 4-28, Afaq Afridi 2-6, Sirajuddin 2-17, Khubaib Khalil 2-26)

Player of the match - Muhammad Sarwar Afridi (FATA Region)

Match 8: Rawalpindi Region beat Bahawalpur Region by 71 runs at Gaddafi Stadium, Lahore

Rawalpindi Region 181-4, 20 overs (Mubasir Khan 45 not out, Haider Ali 43, Yasir Khan 27, Nasir Nawaz 25; Muhammad Junaid 2-27)

Bahawalpur Region 110 all out, 14.5 overs (Mohammad Sudais 48; Mehran Mumtaz 5-12, Mubasir Khan 4-43)

Player of the match – Mehran Mumtaz (Rawalpindi Region)

Wednesday’s fixtures:

Islamabad v Quetta at 4pm PKT

Larkana v Azad Jammu and Kashmir 8.30pm PKT

 

[TeymurBlake]

There are so many new players in this tournament that I haven't even heard of & when you look them up, they ain't even the youngster or promising.

 

[Cricket Warrior]

Larkana, Quetta register their first victories of National T20 Cup Qualifier

Larkana Region and Quetta Region from Pool A registered victories against Azad Jammu and Kashmir (AJK) Region and Islamabad Region, respectively on day five of the ABS Developers present University of Lahore National T20 Cup Qualifier on Wednesday here at the Gaddafi Stadium in Lahore.

Defending the 132-run target, Larkana’s Shahnawaz Dahani struck in the first over to dismiss opening batter Hasan Raza for a duck. Mushtaq Ahmed then removed the other opener Husnain Nadeem for a duck as well in the very next over, reducing AJK to 5-2 in 1.5 overs.

Top-scorer Hasnain Shamir (37, 37b, 2x4s, 2x6s) put together another 26 runs with Awais Akram Minhas (7, 12b, 1x4) before the latter fell prey to Mushtaq leaving AJK further in trouble with 31 runs on the board in 5.1 overs.

Afterwards, Hasnain and Arslan Mehzood (26, 31b, 3x4s) shared a 67-run alliance for the fourth wicket before Asif Ali Chandio put an end to it. At 98-4 after 14 overs, AJK required 34 more runs from the last six overs to avoid a second successive loss.

However, AJK slipped to 115 all out in 18.3 overs, losing their last seven wickets for a mere 17 runs in a span of 27 balls.

Mushtaq starred with figures of 4-1-14-4, his best haul in T20s, while Dahani (4-0-17-3) and Asif Ali Chandio (3.3-0-28-2) shared five wickets between them.

Earlier, Larkana opted to bat first after a delayed start due to rain and scrapped to 131-8 in their 20 overs. Opening batter Malhar Rasool struck a 17-ball 32 including two fours and three sixes. Malhar also shared a 37-run partnership with no.3 batter Zahid Hussain, who top scored with a run-a-ball 33, hitting two fours and three sixes as well.

From 87-5 in 13.2 overs, Larkana’s skipper Zahid Mehmood a six and a four to take his team’s total into three digits. No.8 Mushtaq Ahmed (9, 10b, 2x4s), No.9 Ali Asghar (8 not out, 10b) and No.10 Asif Ali (4 not out, 5b) combined to add 21 runs to the total, which eventually turned out to be slightly more than their winning margin.

For AJK, Hasan Raza (3-0-27-2) and Zaman Khan (4-0-31-2) shared four wickets between them.

In the second game of the day, table toppers Islamabad elected to bat first and raced to 24 in 2.1 overs before losing opening batter Raja Hamza Waheed (10, 9b, 2x4s).

Top-scorer Ali Imran (45, 37b, 6x4s, 1x6) and Naseerullah Khan (25, 22b, 4x4s) then stitched 64 runs for the second wicket, before the latter was dismissed in the 11th over as the scoreboard read 88-2.

Coming in to bat at no.5, batter Rizwan Ali struck a quickfire 40 off 19 balls, featuring six fours and one six to lift Islamabad to 177-7 in their 20 overs. For Quetta, Muhammad Junaid and Khalil Ahmed picked up two wickets each.

In reply, Quetta lost their opening batter Syed Jahangir Shah in the second over with just six runs on the board. Opening batter Abdul Wahid Bangalzai and Bismillah Khan then stitched together a match-defining 156-run stand off 98 balls, guiding Quetta to an eight-wicket victory and securing their first win of the tournament.

Bismillah Khan smashed an 80 off 44 balls, hammering six fours and five sixes. Wahid stayed unbeaten on 85 off 59 balls striking 11 fours and one six to register his highest T20 score. He sealed the game in the 19th over, plundering 18 runs off Musa Khan with three fours and a six to drive his side home.

In Pool A, Islamabad and Karachi Blues have four points each to their name with the former placed top of the table due to better net run rate. Quetta are placed third, while Larkana are at fourth with two points each. AJK remain winless in their both games.

Scores in brief:

Match 9: Larkana Region beat AJK Region by 16 runs at Gaddafi Stadium, Lahore.

Larkana 131-8, 20 overs (Zahid Hussain 33, Malhar Rasool 32; Hasan Raza 2-27, Zaman Khan 2-31)

AJK Region 115 all out, 18.3 overs (Hasnain Shamir 37, Arslan Mehzood 26; Mushtaq Ahmed 4-14, Shahnawaz Dahani 3-17)

Player of the match: Mushtaq Ahmed (Larkana Region)

Match 10: Quetta Region beat Islamabad Region by eight wickets at Gaddafi Stadium, Lahore

Islamabad Region 177-7, 20 overs (Ali Imran 45, Rizwan Ali 40, Naseerullah Khan 25; Muhammad Junaid 2-29, Khalil Ahmed 2-32)

Quetta Region 179-2, 18.5 overs (Abdul Wahid Bangalzai 85 not out, Bismillah Khan 80)

Player of the match: Abdul Wahid Bangalzai (Quetta Region)

Thursday’s fixtures

Hyderabad v Bahawalpur at 7pm PKT

Dera Murad Jamali v Rawalpindi at 11:15pm PKT

 

[khyberlion]

There will be no talent here as this are qualifiers...

Forget talent. Most of them don't even look club level players. How on earth have some of them even made it to the regional cricket? If they are here on merit then the end of our cricket is very near.