In the Quaid-e-Azam Trophy 2023, Sarfaraz Ahmed, a prolificwicketkeeper-batsman, led Karachi Whites to a resounding victory overFaisalabad in a one-sided final at Lahore’s Gaddafi Stadium, winning by amassive margin of 456 runs.
Sarfaraz Ahmed, who amassed 697 runs and was involved in 28 dismissalsduring the tournament, was rightfully declared the player of thetournament, contributing significantly to Karachi Whites’ triumph.
The moment of triumph arrived when Faisalabad’s captain, Faheem Ashraf,became the final wicket to fall, dismissed by Ghulam Mudassar. This victorysecured a cash prize of PKR 10 million for the Sarfaraz Ahmed-led team.
This remarkable win marked Karachi Whites’ first Quaid-e-Azam Trophy titlesince the 2001-02 season, when they defeated Peshawar in the final. Priorto this, they had an impressive streak of titles in the 1990-91, 1991-92,and 1992-93 seasons.
In the final match, Faisalabad began the day at 129-6, with Faheem Ashrafleading a spirited fightback, albeit temporarily. They lost two wickets inthe morning session, with Ali Asfand and Khurram Shahzad getting dismissed,and reached lunch at 230-8.
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Faheem Ashraf played a remarkable innings, notching up his fourthfirst-class century off 119 balls. He added crucial partnerships of 57 runsfor the ninth wicket with Arshad Iqbal and 51 runs for the last wicket withMohammad Ali. Faheem eventually departed after scoring 147 off 181deliveries, which was his career-best, featuring 23 fours and two sixes.
In the bowling department for Karachi Whites, Ghulam Mudassar took 3-62,and Shahnawaz Dahani claimed 2-119. Mir Hamza, Noman Ali, and Asad Shafiqeach secured one wicket.
In the tournament’s round-robin stage, Faisalabad had finished at the topof the points table, with Karachi Whites closely behind in the secondposition.