Mohammad Rizwan’s unbeaten 200 puts Peshawar Blues in control of Quaid-e-Azam Trophy Match

Peshawar Blues captain Mohammad Rizwan produced a commanding batting performance scoring an unbeaten double century to put his team firmly in control against Faisalabad on the second day of the Quaid-e-Azam Trophy Gold tournament on Wednesday.

Peshawar Blues captain Mohammad Rizwan produced a commanding batting performance scoring an unbeaten double century to put his team firmly in control against Faisalabad on the second day of the Quaid-e-Azam Trophy Gold tournament on Wednesday.

Rizwan remained at the crease on 200 after facing 391 deliveries striking 35 fours and one six. His innings helped Peshawar declare their first innings at 503 for four at Abbottabad Cricket Stadium.

Resuming the day at 306-3 Rizwan continued his partnership with Najab Khan who had already established himself with an impressive century. Najab eventually fell for 133 including 25 boundaries and a six while wicketkeeper-batter Mohammad Haris added valuable runs with an unbeaten 70.

Faisalabad bowlers Asad Raza and Mudasar Zunair took two wickets each but struggled to contain Peshawar’s scoring.

Faisalabad reached 118-2 by the close of play in their reply. Mohammad Adnan made two breakthroughs dismissing Faham-ul-Haq for 31 and Sameer Saqif for 25.

Elsewhere in the tournament FATA maintained their advantage over Lahore Whites at Diamond Cricket Ground in Islamabad. Lahore were dismissed for 234 in response to FATA’s first-innings total of 362. Aamir Jamal top-scored with 71 while Ali Zaryab contributed 51. Shaheen Shah Afridi and Afaq Afridi claimed three wickets apiece for FATA who ended the day at 22-1.

Hamza Aziz was Lahore’s standout bowler taking six wickets for 97 runs after FATA resumed their innings at 311-6. Fawad Arshad had earlier played a key role with 91.

At the National Ground in Islamabad, Karachi Blues were bowled out for 280 against Sialkot Blues. Muhammad Gazi Ghori scored 88 and captain Rameez added 49. Athar Mehmood claimed three wickets for Sialkot while Hasan Ali and Hamza Nazar picked up two each.

Meanwhile, Multan reached 249-7 against Islamabad to establish a 34-run lead after bowling out their opponents for 215. Iram Rafiq remained unbeaten on 93 while Sharoon Siraj scored 82. Musa Khan took three wickets for Islamabad.

Rizwan and Najab had both scored centuries on the opening day setting the foundation for Peshawar’s strong position.