Young Batter's Unbeaten 50 Powers Karachi Whites to Second Straight Win in National T20 Cup

Karachi Region Whites secured their second consecutive victory in the National T20 Cup 2026 with a 12-run win over Bahawalpur Region in a rain-interrupted match at the Imran Khan Cricket Stadium.

After being put into bat, Bahawalpur posted a competitive total of 185-8 from their allotted 20 overs, thanks to strong batting performances led by Muhammad Imran and Muhammad Faizan Zafar.

The innings began with a solid start from openers Muhammad Akram and Faizan Zafar, who shared a fluent 54-run partnership. Akram was the first to depart, scoring a brisk 25 from 19 deliveries that included five boundaries. He was dismissed by Muhammad Umar.

Saim Ayub then struck for Karachi, removing Saad Khan for a quick eight off six balls, including one six. The wicket left Bahawalpur at 63 for two after seven overs.

Haider Ali showed intent immediately by hitting his first delivery for six, but his innings ended quickly when he was run out by Saqib Khan after scoring seven.

Faizan Zafar continued to anchor the innings and looked set to reach a half-century. However, he fell just short, dismissed by Saim Ayub for 49. His 33-ball innings included five fours and two sixes.

Muhammad Irfan then took charge of the scoring late in the innings. He played an aggressive knock of 59 from 35 balls, hitting five sixes and one four before becoming Umar’s second victim.

Additional contributions came from Muhammad Sarwar, who scored 15, Daniyal Hussain Rajput with five, and a late unbeaten cameo of 12 from five balls by M Aazib, helping Bahawalpur reach 185-8.

For Karachi Whites, Muhammad Umar was the standout bowler with figures of 3-27 in four overs. Saim Ayub claimed two wickets, while Saqib Khan and Rizwanullah picked up one each.

Karachi’s chase was interrupted by rain, leading to a revised target under the Duckworth-Lewis-Stern (DLS) method.

The new target did not slow the opening pair of Saim Ayub and Abdullah Fazal, who approached the chase with aggressive intent. Saim Ayub led the charge with an unbeaten 53 from just 33 deliveries, striking seven fours and two sixes.

Abdullah Fazal provided steady support with 25 from 21 balls, including three boundaries.

Karachi Whites reached the revised target of 78 without losing a wicket in just nine overs, sealing a comfortable 12-run victory under the DLS method and maintaining their perfect start to the tournament.

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