ISLAMABAD: Mohammad Rizwan marked the opening day of the Quaid-e-Azam Trophy Gold tournament with an unbeaten century for Peshawar Blues on Tuesday, sharing a 179-run fourth-wicket partnership with Najab Khan, who also reached three figures, against Faisalabad in Abbottabad.
Rizwan struck 111 not out from 142 deliveries, hitting 21 fours, for his 16th first-class hundred, while Najab remained unbeaten on 101 off 168 balls, with 18 boundaries, to register his maiden century in only his third first-class appearance. Their stand lifted Peshawar to 306-3 in 76 overs at stumps after they had been asked to bat first at Abbottabad Cricket Stadium.
The pair took charge after Peshawar had lost three wickets. Maaz Sadaqat made 29 off 41 balls, Nabi Gul contributed 48 from 93 deliveries with nine fours, while Israrullah was dismissed for seven. Faisalabad pacer Asad Raza took two wickets and Mudasir Zunair claimed one.
Rizwan’s innings was the standout contribution on a day that also saw Sialkot Blues opener Mohammad Huraira score his 13th first-class century, although his side were bowled out for 241 by defending champions Karachi Blues at the National Ground in Islamabad.
Huraira made 117 off 143 balls, striking 13 fours and a six, but received limited support as Sialkot slumped to 14-4 after being put in to bat. He rebuilt the innings with Hamza Nazar, who scored 24 off 75 balls, in an 89-run partnership. Ahmad Hasan added 43 from 127 deliveries lower down the order.
Mohammad Umar led Karachi’s attack with 4-19 in 4.3 overs, while left-arm spinner Mohammad Asghar took three wickets and Danish Aziz claimed two. Karachi were 9-1 in 3.1 overs at close, having lost opener Haroon Arshad to Athar Mehmood.
At Diamond Cricket Ground, Fata reached 311-6 in 73 overs against Lahore Whites. Fawad Arshad was unbeaten on 91 from 157 balls, while wicketkeeper-batter Rehan Afridi made 69 off 92 deliveries. The pair added 132 for the sixth wicket after Fata had been asked to bat. Lahore’s Hammad Aziz took four wickets for 81 runs. Fata captain Shaheen Shah Afridi was unbeaten on six at stumps.
In Rawalpindi, Islamabad were dismissed for 215 in 74.3 overs by Multan at Shoaib Akhtar Cricket Stadium. Mohammad Hammad Khan top-scored with 50 off 88 balls, while Sarmad Bhatti made 40 and Sudais Ulfat 38.
Multan’s Mohammad Shahzad and Mohammad Irfan took three wickets apiece, with Aamer Yamin claiming two.
The four opening-round matches are being played across Islamabad, Rawalpindi and Abbottabad.
Published in Dawn, November 4th, 2026
