Sialkot to face Peshawar in Quaid-e-Azam Trophy final

KARACHI: Sialkot secured their spot in the Quaid-e-Azam Trophy 2024-25 final after drawing their third triangular stage match against Lahore Whites at the National Bank Stadium, Karachi, on Monday.

The highly anticipated five-day final will be played at the UBL Sports Complex in Karachi, starting from 2 January 2025, where Sialkot will face Peshawar for the coveted title. Sialkot's promising opener Azan Awais showcased an extraordinary performance, scoring centuries in both innings of the match. In the second innings, he contributed 121 runs off 169 balls, laced with 17 fours and a six, while earlier in the first innings, he had amassed an impressive 168 off 293 balls, hitting 19 boundaries.

The 20-year-old left-hander has been in sublime form throughout the tournament, leading the batting charts with 807 runs in seven matches, including four centuries and two half-centuries. The match between Sialkot and Lahore Whites was a high-scoring affair. Lahore Whites, resuming their first innings at an overnight score of 628 for nine, declared after posting 639 runs in 153.1 overs, with opener Ali Zaryab remaining unbeaten on 206.

For Sialkot, Shahzaib Bhatti was the standout bowler, claiming five wickets for 236 runs in 57.1 overs. In their second innings, Sialkot started with a deficit of 174 runs and reached 260 for six in 67 overs when the match ended in a draw. Mohsin Riaz added a crucial unbeaten 57 runs, providing stability in the middle order.