Peshawar delivered a commanding performance on Day 3 of the second triangular stage match in the Quaid-e-Azam Trophy, defeating Lahore Whites by 125 runs at the Abbottabad Cricket Stadium.
The victory keeps Peshawar firmly in the race for the tournament final, thanks to an exceptional display by spinner Sajid Khan, who claimed his fourth first-class ten-wicket haul.
Chasing a challenging target of 257 runs, Lahore Whites collapsed for a mere 131 in just 23.3 overs. Sajid Khan was the chief destroyer, taking 5-43 in 6.3 overs to record his 17th first-class five-wicket haul and his second of the match. Sajid’s match figures of 10-99 showcased his mastery over spin on a responsive surface, raising further questions about his exclusion from the team heading for South Africa.
Lahore Whites’ skipper Saad Nasim put up some resistance with a gritty 62-ball 56, featuring eight boundaries and a six. However, his efforts were not enough to save his team from a crushing defeat. Peshawar pacers Niaz Khan (3-24) and Mir Hamza (2-38) provided early breakthroughs, setting the stage for Sajid’s heroics.
Earlier in the day, Peshawar resumed from their overnight score of 14-3 and managed to post 141 in their second innings, largely thanks to a crucial unbeaten knock of 83 by Nabi Gul. The No. 5 batter held the innings together, facing 138 balls and hitting 12 boundaries. His effort ensured that Peshawar set a competitive target after their first-innings lead of 115 runs proved invaluable.
Lahore Whites’ bowlers were effective in the second innings, with Mohammad Salman (3-31), Ahmed Bashir (2-29), Naseem Shah (2-30), and Ubaid Shah (2-44) sharing the wickets among them. However, Nabi Gul’s composed innings provided the cushion Peshawar needed to dominate the game.
With this win over Lahore Whites, Peshawar now sits second on the triangular stage points table with 25 points, trailing Sialkot, who lead with 27 points. Lahore Whites, with just four points, face a do-or-die scenario in their final match against Sialkot, which begins on December 27.
Peshawar’s victory not only keeps their hopes alive but also adds intrigue to the final stages of the tournament. If Lahore Whites manage to pull off an upset against Sialkot, it could open up the race for the final, making the concluding match a must-watch affair.
| Teams | Mat | Won | Lost | Draw | No Result | Aban | Bonus Pts | Points | Net RR |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Sialkot Region | 1 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 27 | – |
| Peshawar Region | 2 | 1 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 25 | – |
| Lahore Region Whites | 1 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 4 | – |
Scores in Brief
| Team | Innings | Score | Overs | Key Players | Top Bowlers |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Peshawar | 1st Innings | 332 all out | 82.2 | Maaz Sadaqat 95, Zubair Khan 71, Mohammad Haris 45, Sajid Khan 43 | Ahmed Bashir 3-54, Naseem Shah 2-79 |
| 2nd Innings | 141 all out | 40 | Nabi Gul 83 not out | Mohammad Salman 3-31, Ahmed Bashir 2-29 | |
| Lahore Whites | 1st Innings | 217 all out | 56.3 | Obaid Shahid 75, Saad Nasim 36 | Sajid Khan 5-56, Mir Hamza 3-58 |
| 2nd Innings | 131 all out | 23.3 | Saad Nasim 56 | Sajid Khan 5-43, Niaz Khan 3-24 |
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