Sialkot will face Peshawar in the highly anticipated final of the Quaid-e-Azam Trophy 2024-25, following a drawn match against Lahore Whites at the National Bank Stadium in Karachi. The tournament decider is set to take place at the UBL Sports Complex in Karachi from January 2, 2025.
The drawn encounter was pivotal for Sialkot, as they secured their berth in the final with a solid team performance and standout contributions from rising star Azan Awais and bowler Shahzaib Bhatti.
Resuming play on Monday at 628 for nine after Sialkot’s first innings total of 465, Lahore Whites added 11 more runs to their overnight score, finishing with a commanding 639 in 153.1 overs. Opener Ali Zaryab, who anchored the innings with a magnificent unbeaten 206, displayed remarkable concentration and skill.
Trailing by 174 runs after Lahore’s first innings, Sialkot fought back with a composed second innings, reaching 260 for six in 67 overs before the teams agreed to a draw. The standout performer was once again 20-year-old opener Azan Awais, who followed up his first-innings score of 168 with a scintillating 121 off 169 balls, featuring 17 fours and a six.
Azan’s stellar form throughout the season has been instrumental for Sialkot. Leading the batting charts with 807 runs in just seven matches, his tally includes four centuries and two fifties, underscoring his role as a cornerstone of Sialkot’s campaign.
Lahore, meanwhile, exits the competition without a win in the triangular stage.
Quaid-e-Azam Trophy 2024/25 Triangular Stage Points Table
| Teams | Mat | Won | Lost | Draw | No Result | Aban | Bonus Pts | Points | Net RR |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Sialkot Region | 2 | 1 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 36 | – |
| Peshawar Region | 2 | 1 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 25 | – |
| Lahore Region Whites | 2 | 0 | 1 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 13 | – |
