MULTAN, (APP – UrduPoint / Pakistan Point News – 14th Aug, 2026) Pakistan Whites produced a thrilling bowling performance to clinch a six-run victory over Pakistan Blues in a nerve-wracking third match of the Al Batal Presents University of Lahore National Champions Cup 2026-27 at the Multan Cricket Stadium on Thursday night.
Defending a modest total of 245, Whites were pushed to the limit by a spirited Blues chase but held their nerve to dismiss the opposition for 239 in 49.4 overs.
Pace spearheads Muhammad Waseem Jnr and Shahnawaz Dahani shared nine wickets between them, with Waseem Jnr claiming a career-best five-wicket haul and Dahani returning impressive figures of 4-43.
Waseem Jnr’s 5-46 was his maiden five-wicket haul in List A cricket as well as in competitive cricket overall. He removed Maaz Sadaqat, Tayyab Tahir, Muhammad Irfan Khan, Ahmed Daniyal and Sufyan Moqim to put Whites firmly in control.
Dahani provided the perfect support, taking 4-43 in 9.4 overs and saving 15 runs in the final over. He completed the victory when Hasan Ali skied a full toss, with Usman Khan completing a safe catch.
Hasan Ali had threatened to snatch the match away from Whites with a spirited unbeaten-looking fightback, scoring 29 off 28 balls with five boundaries. He and Akif Javed added 22 runs for the final wicket and brought Blues within touching distance of an unlikely victory.
The visitors had been comfortably placed at 198-6 in 42.2 overs before Waseem Jnr triggered a dramatic collapse. Blues lost three wickets for 19 runs to slip to 217-9 in 46 overs.
Waseem first broke a dangerous partnership by bowling Muhammad Irfan Khan, who scored 37 off 34 balls with two fours and three sixes. He then struck twice in the 46th over to complete his memorable five-wicket haul.
Earlier, Maaz Sadaqat and Mohammad Faiq appeared to have put Blues on course for victory with a 99-run second-wicket partnership. Maaz scored 59 off 77 balls, including six fours and a six, while Faiq made 54 off 64 balls with five fours and a six.
Their partnership took Blues from 30-1 to 129-1, but the introduction of Waseem Jnr and Haris Rauf changed the complexion of the contest.
Blues slumped from 129-1 in 26.2 overs to 158-6, losing five wickets for just 29 runs.
Dahani added to the damage by dismissing Arafat Minhas for 12 and Rohail for eight.
Earlier, Pakistan Whites were restricted to 245 all out in 49.3 overs after Pakistan Blues’ spinners made significant inroads. The Blues bowlers claimed seven wickets for 116 runs in 26 overs, with Mohammad Faiq leading the attack with 3-36.
Shahzaib Khan led Whites’ batting effort with a composed 71 off 84 balls, hitting three fours and three sixes. The innings also received valuable contributions from Saad Masood, Haris Rauf and Waseem Jnr.
After Whites slipped to 157-6 in 32.3 overs, Haris Rauf and Saad Masood revived the innings with a crucial 53-run seventh-wicket partnership from 65 balls.
Haris scored 27 off 34 balls with two fours and a six, while Saad contributed 35 off 46 balls, including a four and a six.
Waseem Jnr added a valuable 21 off 25 balls with two fours before becoming the final batter dismissed.
Faiq’s 3-36 was his best List A bowling performance and took his tally to 10 wickets in the format. Arafat Minhas also impressed with 1-30, following his 2-36 performance in the previous match.
Scores in brief:
Pakistan Whites 245 all out, 49.3 overs: Shahzaib Khan 71, Saad Masood 35, Usman Khan 29, Haris Rauf 27, Saim Ayub 22, Muhammad Waseem Jnr 21, Hasan Nawaz 20; Mohammad Faiq 3-36, Maaz Sadaqat 2-12.
Pakistan Blues 239 all out, 49.4 overs: Maaz Sadaqat 59, Mohammad Faiq 54, Muhammad Irfan Khan 37, Hasan Ali 29; Muhammad Waseem Jnr 5-46, Shahnawaz Dahani 4-43.
Player of the Match: Muhammad Waseem Jnr (Pakistan Whites).
Tournament schedule:
Aug 11 – Pakistan Greens beat Pakistan Whites by five wickets
Aug 12 – Pakistan Blues beat Pakistan Gold by six wickets
Aug 13 – Pakistan Whites beat Pakistan Blues by six runs
Aug 14 – Pakistan Gold v Pakistan Greens
Aug 15 – Pakistan Blues v Pakistan Greens
Aug 16 – Pakistan Gold v Pakistan Whites
Aug 18 – Final (top two teams)
All matches are being played at Multan Cricket Stadium and begin at 3pm.
