# Pakistan Stars Shine in Quaid-e-Azam Trophy Opening Round

Mohammad Rizwan hits double century while Babar Azam struggles in domestic season opener.

- **Source:** [Wisden](https://www.wisden.com)
- **Published:** 2026-11-06
- **Topic:** [sports](https://brifing.si/c/sports)
- **Original article:** <https://www.wisden.com/cricket-news/rizwan-shines-babar-struggles-how-pakistan-stars-fared-in-quaid-e-azam-trophy-first-round>
- **On Brifing:** https://brifing.si/s/c99c6272-9d9b-43f5-a071-e5c1d3391d7c

## Tournament Season Opener

The Quaid-e-Azam Trophy has officially commenced, featuring high-stakes domestic cricket across Pakistan. This opening round provided a platform for national stars to regain form or solidify their standing. Teams like FATA and Multan secured decisive victories, while other encounters resulted in hard-fought draws, setting a competitive tone for the upcoming tournament schedule.

## Rizwan Dominates Batting

Mohammad Rizwan delivered a masterclass for Peshawar Blues against Faisalabad, scoring an unbeaten 200 off 252 balls. His innings, decorated with 35 fours and a single six, propelled his side to a massive 503-4 declaration. This performance effectively silenced critics following his challenging tour of England earlier this year, proving his domestic dominance.

## Babar Azam's Difficult Outing

The highly anticipated clash between FATA and Lahore Whites saw Shaheen Afridi outshine Babar Azam. Shaheen claimed four wickets, while Babar managed scores of only 28 and 42 across two innings. FATA ultimately won the match by 241 runs, highlighting the effectiveness of their bowling attack led by Afaq Afridi's seven-wicket haul.

## Hurraira's Twin Centuries

Muhammad Hurraira stood out for Sialkot Blues by scoring twin centuries against Karachi Blues. He smashed 117 and 141 runs, showcasing exceptional consistency as an opening batter. Despite his heroics, the match ended in a draw after Omair Bin Yousuf scored an unbeaten century on the final day to secure Karachi's position.

## Multan's Decisive Victory

Multan registered a comprehensive 10-wicket win over Islamabad, dominating the proceedings from the start. Imran Rafiq anchored the batting with a solid 140, while Muhammad Hafeez proved lethal with the ball, taking six wickets. Imam-ul-Haq sealed the chase with an unbeaten 64, ensuring Multan started their campaign with a significant points advantage.

## Bowling Performances Analyzed

Beyond the batting displays, several bowlers made critical impacts during this round. Afaq Afridi took seven wickets for FATA, while Muhammad Hassan Hafeez claimed six for Multan. These performances were essential in restricting opposition totals, as seen in the low-scoring second innings of the FATA versus Lahore Whites match, which ended at 170.

## Domestic Cricket Context

The Quaid-e-Azam Trophy serves as the primary red-ball domestic competition in Pakistan. It is crucial for selectors to identify talent and assess the readiness of players for international assignments. The varying results, from outright wins to draws, reflect the standard of competition and the tactical depth currently present in the domestic circuit.

## Looking Ahead

As the tournament progresses, the focus shifts to how individual players maintain their momentum. With stars like Rizwan and Shaheen already making headlines, the upcoming rounds will be pivotal for team standings. Fans and analysts will monitor whether these early performances translate into sustained success throughout the remainder of the domestic season.

## Sources covering this story

- https://www.wisden.com/cricket-news/rizwan-shines-babar-struggles-how-pakistan-stars-fared-in-quaid-e-azam-trophy-first-round — 

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_Summary written by Brifing from the original reporting. Copyright in the original article belongs to its publisher; read the full piece at the link above._
