FATA Beat Lahore Whites by 241 Runs in Quaid-e-Azam Trophy Opener

FATA beat Lahore Whites by 241 runs in the opening round of the Quaid-e-Azam Trophy 2026-27, wrapping up a commanding win at the Diamond Cricket Ground in Islamabad on Friday 6 November 2026. Centuries from Fawad Arshad and Mohammad Farooq set up the win, and FATA's bowlers finished the job on the final morning.

How the match was won

Lahore Whites won the toss and chose to field. FATA made 362 in their first innings, built on Fawad Arshad's 115 off 190 balls, his first first-class century, and Rehan Afridi's 69. Hammad Aziz took 6 for 97 for Lahore Whites. In reply, Lahore Whites were bowled out for 234, with captain Aamir Jamal making 74 and Ali Zaryab 51, while Afaq Afridi and Shaheen Shah Afridi took three wickets each. FATA's lead was 128.

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FATA then made 283 in their second innings, with Mohammad Farooq scoring 123 and Salman Khan Jnr 53, setting Lahore Whites 412 to win. Lahore Whites resumed the final day on 40 for 4 and were bowled out for 170 in 43.1 overs. Shahid Aziz took 4 for 32 and Afaq Afridi 4 for 46.

Scorecard in brief

FATA 362 all out, 84.1 overs (Fawad Arshad 115, Rehan Afridi 69, Salman Khan Jnr 33, Mohammad Farooq 32; Hammad Aziz 6-97, Mohammad Salman Mirza 2-73) and 283 all out, 59.1 overs (Mohammad Farooq 123, Salman Khan Jnr 53, Shahid Aziz 33; Mohammad Salman Mirza 3-78, Mohammad Faiq 2-39). Lahore Whites 234 all out, 49.2 overs (Aamir Jamal 74, Ali Zaryab 51, Babar Azam 28, Mohammad Faiq 26; Afaq Afridi 3-55, Shaheen Shah Afridi 3-69, Shahid Aziz 2-56) and 170 all out, 43.1 overs (Zain Bin Farooq 44, Babar Azam 42; Shahid Aziz 4-32, Afaq Afridi 4-46). FATA won by 241 runs.

Babar Azam's two starts, and the bat smash

Pakistan Test captain Babar Azam made 28 off 40 balls in the first innings and 42 off 77 in the second, falling short of a half century in both. His first innings dismissal was disputed, with no Decision Review System in use in the opening round, and his frustration showed after the second innings dismissal, when he was seen smashing his bat on the turf. The first Test against Sri Lanka starts in Rawalpindi on Monday 9 November, so Babar has no more first-class cricket before the series. See Pakistan vs Sri Lanka First Test: Rawalpindi Preview.

The opening round in full

FATA were one of three winners in the opening round. Peshawar Blues beat Faisalabad, with captain Mohammad Rizwan making an unbeaten 200, as reported in Mohammad Rizwan Hits Unbeaten 200 in Quaid-e-Azam Trophy, and Multan also won their match. Defending champions Karachi Blues drew with Sialkot Blues. The second round of the Quaid-e-Azam Trophy Gold and Silver divisions begins on Monday 9 November, the same day as the first Test in Rawalpindi.

Sources: Cricket World, Quaid-e-Azam Trophy Gold 2026-27: Convincing Victories Conclude Opening Round; Wisden, Rizwan Shines, Babar Struggles: How Pakistan Stars Fared In Quaid-e-Azam Trophy First Round; A-Sports, QEAT: Peshawar Blues, FATA and Multan win opening-round matches; Geo Super, QEAT: Rizwan's double century puts Peshawar in command against Faisalabad.