MULTAN: Sahibzada Farhan struck his ninth List-A century while Sufyan Moqim and Hasan Ali claimed four wickets apiece as Pakistan Blues opened their National Champions Cup campaign with a six-wicket victory over Pakistan Gold at the Multan Cricket Stadium on Wednesday.

Blues chased down their 213-run target in 41.4 overs, with Sahibzada making 102 off 101 balls, including nine fours and two sixes.

The victory was set up by Blues’ bowlers after Gold, who opted to bat, collapsed from 100-1 to 212 all out in 45.3 overs.

Sufyan claimed 4-37 in his 10 overs while Hasan returned 4-32 in 8.3 overs, including two maidens. Arafat Minhas supported them with two wickets for 36 runs.

Gold made a solid start through Kamran Ghulam and Shamyl Hussain, who added 75 for the second wicket after Hasan removed Saad Khan for nine in the fifth over.

Shamyl reached his fourth List-A half-century before his innings ended in the 21st over when he miscued a short delivery from Sufyan towards midwicket, where Tayyab Tahir held a leaping catch. He made 50 off 47 balls, hitting six fours and a six.

Kamran continued to anchor the innings and brought up his 23rd List-A half-century before falling to Arafat in the 28th over for 63 off 85 balls, with six fours and a six.

Gold slipped further after Khawaja Mohammad Nafay was bowled by Sufyan for a reverse-sweep attempt, leaving the side at 148-4 in the 31st over. Sufyan then removed Abdul Samad and Mohammad Imran within 11 balls as the wrist-spinner ran through the middle and lower order.

Haider Ali offered some resistance with 44 off 52 balls, but Hasan dismissed him in the 42nd over with Gold on 195-7. Hasan and Arafat then wrapped up the innings, with the last three wickets adding only 17 runs.

In reply, Blues lost Maaz Sadaqat for nine in the sixth over but Sahibzada ensured the chase remained under control.

He added 55 with Mohammad Faiq, who made 30 off 35 balls, before putting on 64 with Tayyab Tahir, who scored 35 off 51 balls.

Sahibzada reached his half-century from 54 balls and continued to shepherd the chase. Tayyab was bowled by Mohammad Imran Jnr, but Sahibzada went on to complete his century before falling for 102 in the 38th over.

Rohail Nazir, unbeaten on 21, and Mohammad Irfan Khan then completed the chase in the 42nd over.

Scores in brief:

PAKISTAN GOLD 212 in 45.3 overs (Kamran Ghulam 63, Shamyl Hussain 50, Haider Ali 44; Hasan Ali 4-32, Sufyan Moqim 4-37, Arafat Minhas 2-36); PAKISTAN BLUES 213-4 in 41.4 overs (Sahibzada Farhan 102, Tayyab Tahir 35, Mohammad Faiq 30, Rohail Nazir 21 not out; Mohammad Imran 2-30).

Published in Dawn, August 14th, 2026