Hasan Ali and Sufyan Moqim Claim Four Wickets Each in Dominant Victory
Pakistan Blues made a winning start to their National Champions Cup 2026-27 campaign as captain Sahibzada Farhan struck a brilliant century, while Hasan Ali and Sufyan Moqim claimed four wickets each to secure a six-wicket victory over Pakistan Gold at Multan Cricket Stadium.
Chasing 213 for victory on Wednesday, August 12, Pakistan Blues reached 213 for four in 41.4 overs, completing the chase with 50 balls remaining.
Sahibzada led the run chase with a commanding 102 from 101 deliveries, hitting nine fours and two sixes.
It was his ninth century in List A cricket and proved decisive after Pakistan Gold had been dismissed for 212 in 45.3 overs.
Pakistan Blues lost Maaz Sadaqat for nine after an opening partnership of 30 runs, with Muhammad Imran providing Gold with their first breakthrough.
However, Sahibzada continued to control the chase and combined effectively with Muhammad Faiq.
The pair added 55 runs for the second wicket before Faiq was bowled by Faisal Akram for 30 from 35 balls.
Sahibzada reached his half-century from 54 deliveries and continued to build the innings patiently.
Sahibzada Farhan Holds Chase Together With Crucial Partnerships
Tayyab Tahir joined Sahibzada after Faiq’s dismissal and helped Pakistan Blues consolidate their position.
The pair added another 64 runs, keeping the required rate comfortably under control.
Tayyab contributed 35 from 51 deliveries, including three boundaries, before Muhammad Imran Jnr bowled him.
Sahibzada remained at the centre of the chase and eventually completed his century before falling for 102 in the 38th over.
Muhammad Imran claimed the wicket, but by that stage Pakistan Blues were already firmly in control.
Sahibzada had also shared a 45-run partnership with wicketkeeper Rohail Nazir.
Rohail remained unbeaten on 21 from 36 balls, while Muhammad Irfan Khan joined him to complete the chase.
The pair added the final 19 runs as Pakistan Blues reached the target in the 42nd over and sealed a comfortable six-wicket victory.
Sahibzada Farhan was named Player of the Match for his match-winning century.
Gold Collapse After Strong 100-Run Start
Earlier, Pakistan Gold elected to bat first and appeared well placed after reaching 100 for one.
However, the innings collapsed dramatically as Pakistan Blues’ bowlers took control.
Gold lost their final nine wickets for only 112 additional runs and were bowled out for 212 in 45.3 overs, leaving 27 deliveries unused.
Hasan Ali gave Pakistan Blues their first breakthrough by removing Saad Khan for nine in the fifth over.
Gold then enjoyed their strongest phase of the innings through Kamran Ghulam and Shamyl Hussain.
The pair added 75 runs for the second wicket and took the total to 100 before Sufyan Moqim broke the partnership.
Shamyl attempted to attack a short googly towards the midwicket boundary, where Tayyab Tahir produced an impressive leaping catch.
He departed for 50 from 47 balls, having struck six fours and one six.
Kamran continued to anchor the Gold innings and reached his 23rd List A half-century.
He eventually scored 63 from 85 balls, including six fours and one six, before left-arm spinner Arafat Minhas dismissed him in the 28th over.
Sufyan Moqim Rips Through Middle Order
Sufyan Moqim then triggered a middle-order collapse.
The wrist-spinner bowled Khawaja Mohammad Nafay as the batter attempted a reverse sweep, leaving Pakistan Gold at 148 for four.
He continued to attack the middle order and dismissed Abdul Samad and Muhammad Imran in the space of only 11 deliveries.
Sufyan eventually completed his spell with outstanding figures of four wickets for 37 runs from 10 overs.
It was his fourth four-wicket haul in just 21 List A appearances.
Hasan Ali was equally influential.
The experienced fast bowler returned figures of 4-32 from 8.3 overs, including two maidens.
Arafat Minhas completed an excellent bowling performance for Pakistan Blues with 2-36 from 10 overs, including a maiden.
Haider Ali attempted to keep Pakistan Gold competitive after the collapse.
After being dropped when he was on seven, Haider fought his way to 44 from 52 deliveries, striking three fours and a six.
Hasan eventually removed him with the score at 195 for seven.
Gold’s final three wickets could add only another 17 runs as Hasan and Arafat finished off the lower order.
Pakistan Blues Face Whites Next
The result gave Pakistan Blues their first victory of the National Champions Cup 2026-27.
They will return to Multan Cricket Stadium on Thursday, August 13, to face Pakistan Whites, with play scheduled to begin at 3pm.
Pakistan Greens had earlier defeated Pakistan Whites by five wickets in the tournament opener on August 11.
Pakistan Gold will next face Pakistan Greens on August 14, followed by Blues against Greens on August 15 and Gold against Whites on August 16.
The top two teams after the round-robin stage will qualify for the August 18 final at Multan Cricket Stadium.
Scores in Brief
Pakistan Gold: 212 all out in 45.3 overs
Kamran Ghulam 63, Shamyl Hussain 50, Haider Ali 44
Hasan Ali 4-32, Sufyan Moqim 4-37, Arafat Minhas 2-36
Pakistan Blues: 213-4 in 41.4 overs
Sahibzada Farhan 102, Tayyab Tahir 35, Muhammad Faiq 30, Rohail Nazir 21 not out
Muhammad Imran 2-30
Result: Pakistan Blues won by six wickets
Player of the Match: Sahibzada Farhan
