KARACHI: Rizwan Mehmood’s imposing 189-run knock anchored Hyderabad to a commanding 637 for eight against Karachi Whites on the second day of their Hanif Mohammad Trophy opener at the Abbasia Sports Complex in Rahim Yar Khan on Saturday.Resuming on 86, Rizwan produced a patient yet fluent knock — facing 274 balls and striking 23 boundaries — to convert his overnight half-century into a near double. He was well supported by wicket-keeper Ali Shan, who retired hurt on exactly 100 from 130 deliveries while Mohammad Suleman’s 159 on the opening day had already laid the foundation for Hyderabad’s massive total.

Karachi Whites, in reply, reached 113 for two at stumps. Saad Baig was batting on 41 alongside Mohammad Taha (20 not out) with their side still trailing by a whopping 524 runs.

At the Multan Cricket Stadium, Faisalabad added 131 runs to their overnight total before being dismissed for 469 against Lahore Blues.

Abdul Samad, who began the day on 132, was eventually caught and bowled by Aamer Jamal after a sparkling 161 off 197 balls. Ali Shan contributed 83 while lower-order batter Ibtisam Rehman struck a brisk 50 to carry Faisalabad past 450.

In response, Lahore Blues made a solid start as Mohammad Saleem (60 not out) and Imran Butt (34) put on a century stand before the latter fell just before close.

In Bahawalpur, Azad Jammu and Kashmir (AJK) tightened their grip against Quetta. Hasnain Shamir struck an unbeaten 113 — his innings spanning 198 balls and featuring 12 boundaries — to secure a 96-run first-innings lead. AJK closed the rain-shortened day at 309 for three, with Hasan Raza (87) and Umar Hayat (53) also chipping in after resuming from 69-1.

In Group ‘B’, Rawalpindi’s first innings closed at 375 after adding 85 runs to their overnight tally of 290 for five. Sameen Gul picked up four wickets for Fata, who replied strongly through Mohammad Farooq’s blistering run-a-ball 108. Supported by Mohammad Wasim Khan’s unbeaten 51, Fata ended on 237 for four, still 138 behind.

At the UBL Sports Complex, Larkana secured a dominant position against Dera Murad Jamali. After dismissing DM Jamali for 166 in reply to their own 311, Larkana reached 150 for one in the second innings, extending their lead to 295.

Malhar Rasool (83 not out) and Sabit Ali (55 not out) shared an unbroken 127-run stand. Earlier, skipper Zahid Mehmood claimed four wickets to trigger DM Jamali’s collapse.

Meanwhile, Multan declared at 454 for eight against Karachi Blues at the SBP Sports Complex, thanks to solid contributions from Sharoon Siraj (83) and Arafat Minhas (82). In reply, Karachi Blues reached 192 for three with Abdullah Fazal (75) and Omair Bin Yousuf (62) ensuring stability despite Hasan Hafeez’s three-wicket burst.

Scores in brief:

Faisalabad vs Lahore Blues at Multan Cricket Stadium:

FAISALABAD 469 in 124.1 overs (Abdul Samad 161, Ali Shan 83, Muhammad Irfan Khan 52; Abubakar 3-81); LAHORE BLUES 100-1 in 19 overs (Mohammad Saleem 60 not out, Imran Butt 34)

Hyderabad vs Karachi Whites at Abbasia Sports Complex, Rahim Yar Khan:

HYDERABAD 637-7 in 140.2 overs (Rizwan Mehmood 189, Mohammad Suleman 159, Ali Shan 100 retired hurt, Saad Khan 99; Mohammad Raza 2-84); KARACHI WHITES 113-1 in 29 overs (Saad Baig 41 not out, Khawaja Mohammad Nafay 29)

Quetta vs Azad Jammu & Kashmir at Dring Stadium, Bahawalpur:

QUETTA 213 in 58.1 overs (Abdul Wahid Bangalzai 104; Aqib Liaqat 4-59, Zaman Khan 3-36); AJK 309-3 in 83 overs (Hasnain Shamir 113 not out, Hasan Raza 87; Mohammad Javed 2-57)

Rawalpindi vs Fata at National Bank Stadium, Karachi:

RAWALPINDI 375 in 108.5 overs (Abdul Faseeh 70, Aqib Shah 62; Sameen Gul 4-77); FATA 237-4 in 63 overs (Mohammad Farooq 108; Mubasir Khan 2-50)

Karachi Blues vs Multan at SBP Sports Complex, Karachi:

MULTAN 454-8 in 117.4 overs (Zain Abbas 124, Waqar Hussain 85; Mir Hamza 3-78); Karachi Blues 192-3 kn 51 overs (Abdullah Fazal 75, Omair Bin Yousuf 62; Hasan Hafeez 3-38)

Dera Murad Jamali vs Larkana at UBL Sports Complex, Karachi:

LARKANA 311 in 89.4 overs (Sabit Ali 115, Mohsin Raza 100; Mohammad Shahid 3-61, Abu Huraira 3-84) and 150-1 in 34 overs (Malhar Rasool 83 not out, Sabit Ali 55 not out); DM JAMALI 166 in 55.2 overs (Taimur Ali 59, Dawood Khan 35; Zahid Mehmood 4-71, Mushtaq Ahmed 2-27).

Published in Dawn, August 31st, 2025