Sialkot, Multan enter National T20 Cup quarterfinals

By Our Correspondent
March 22, 2025
Sialkot (left) and Multan players in action during their National T20 Cup matches at the Iqbal Stadium in Faisalabad on March 20, 2025. — PCB
Sialkot (left) and Multan players in action during their National T20 Cup matches at the Iqbal Stadium in Faisalabad on March 20, 2025. — PCB

LAHORE: Sialkot Region and Multan Region from Group D sealed their quarterfinal berths in the National T20 Cup with emphatic victories in their final group games at the Iqbal Stadium on Thursday night.

From Group C, Abbottabad and Faisalabad have also booked their places in the next stage, while Group A and B games remain ongoing. Sialkot Region overwhelmed AJK with a seven-wicket win.Chasing a target of 138 in just 14.3 overs Mirza Tahir Baig powered huis side’s chase with an unbeaten 76 off 44 balls. Mohammad Huraira (30) and Mohsin Riaz (25) were other main scorers.

Earlier, AJK rode on a 65-run opening stand between Hasnain Nadeem (43) and Hasan Raza (39) to reach 137-6 in 20 overs. Usama Mir and Hasan Ali struck three blows each to derail AJK’s innings.

Multan Region kept their campaign alive with a crucial 74-run win against FATA. Batting first, Multan posted 167-7, with Zain Abbas anchoring the innings with 51. Arafat Minhas added fireworks with 37 off 18 balls.

FATA, in reply, faltered under pressure and were dismissed for just 93 runs in 17.2 overs. Multan’s bowling unit, led by Sharoon Siraj, Arafat Minhas, and Ali Majid—each claiming two wickets—ensured the decisive victory.

Peshawar Region clinched a dominant seven-wicket victory over Larkana Region at the Multan Cricket Stadium. Chasing a target of 132, Peshawar’s opening batter Sahibzada Farhan stole the show with a scintillating 76 off 39 balls, Waqar Ahmed (40) was other main contributor. Peshawar’s bowlers had earlier restricted Larkana to 131-9 in 20 overs, with pace trio Mohammad Amir Khan (3-23), Niaz Khan (3-30) and Ihsanullah (1-36) delivering regular breakthroughs.

Lahore Whites cruised to a 10-wicket victory over Quetta Region in a clinical display. Bowling first, Lahore bundled Quetta out for a paltry 86, with Ahmed Daniyal and Kamran Afzal bagging two wickets apiece. Mohammad Faiq carried his stellar form forward, smashing 72* off just 32 balls (8 fours, 4 sixes) as Lahore Whites chased down the target in just 8.5 overs without losing a wicket.