Sialkot (left) and Multan players in action during their National T20 Cup matches at the Iqbal Stadium in Faisalabad on March 20, 2025. — PCB
Sialkot top Group D standings with six points, followed by Multan with four
The National T20 Cup 2025 has entered a thrilling phase as Sialkot and Multan have formally secured their quarterfinal positions after impressive wins in their most recent group-stage matches. Both teams qualified to the tournament’s knockout stage as Sialkot, under the leadership of Shoaib Malik, finished first in Group D with six points and Multan in second place with four points.
At Iqbal Stadium in Faisalabad, the competition’s 27th and 28th games saw spectacular performances. Arafat Minhas led Multan’s charge, while Usama Mir’s superb bowling effort helped Sialkot win. Both teams are currently competing for the prized National T20 Cup trophy as the season progresses.
Will Multan surprise with a knockout, or can Sialkot maintain its dominance?
Multan Crushes FATA to Seal Qualification
Multan made an impression in the tournament’s 27th match, defeating FATA by 74 runs to guarantee their spot in the quarterfinals.
First to Bat: Zain Abbas, the skipper, takes the lead.
Multan, opting to bat first, posted a competitive 167/7 in their 20 overs.
Zain Abbas spearheaded the attack with a vital 51 off 41 balls, and Arafat Minhas added fireworks with a scorching 37 off 18 deliveries that included two sixes and three fours. Multan was able to set a difficult score even when wickets were dropping frequently.
Mohammad Naeem and Azaz Khan contributed one wicket each, but Sameen Gul and Asif Ali were the standout bowlers for FATA, taking two each.
The Batting Collapses of FATA Under Duress
Multan’s methodical bowling attack caused FATA to collapse as they chased 168 for victory, folding for a pitiful 93 in 17.2 overs.
🔹 With 22 runs off 22 balls, Salman Khan was the highest scorer.
🔹 Shahid Aziz and Rehan Afridi both scored 14 runs, however they were not supported.
🔹 The rest of the batting order failed to put up any resistance.
Multan’s bowling attack was a whole team effort:
✔️ Ali Majid, Sharooj Siraj, and Arafat Minhas each claimed two wickets.
✔️ Waseem Akram, Faisal Akram, and Muhammad Shahzad each contributed one wicket.
The resounding win assured Multan of a spot in the National T20 Cup championship.
Sialkot Finishes First in Group D After Dominating AJK
Sialkot defeated AJK by eight wickets in the 28th game to guarantee their place in the quarterfinals.
AJK’s Dominant Start Fizzes out
AJK, who batted first, amassed a respectable 137/6 in 20 overs.
🔹 Hasan Raza (39 off 42) and Hasnain Nadeem (43 off 40) put on a strong opening partnership, scoring 65 runs between them.
🔹 But they collapsed due to fast wickets in the middle overs, limiting them to a subpar score.
Usama Mir and Hasan Ali, who each took three wickets, were the game changers for Sialkot.
“Usama Mir was particularly impressive, conceding just 13 runs in his four overs while picking up three key wickets.”
Sialkot’s Target Chase: Mirza Baig’s Masterclass
With 33 balls remaining, Sialkot easily defeated the goal, chasing 138 for victory.
🔹 The standout player was Mirza Baig, who blasted an undefeated 76 off 44 balls with seven fours and four sixes.
🔹 Mohsin Riaz (25 off 12 balls) and Muhammad Hurraira (30) offered crucial assistance.
🔹 Shoaib Malik was dismissed early for just two runs, which was the only significant setback.
Malik’s occasional failure was offset by Sialkot’s superb performance, which ensured they won Group D.
Conclusion: Sialkot and Multan’s Road to the Title
Now that Sialkot and Multan have both secured their places in the quarterfinals, the battle is anticipated to intensify in the elimination stages.
✅ Young all-rounders stepping up, a dependable middle order, and strong bowling combinations are some of Multan’s advantages.
✅ Sialkot’s advantages include a potent batting lineup, a well-rounded bowling attack, and seasoned leadership from Shoaib Malik.
❌ Challenges: When things become rough, both teams need to keep their cool and avoid batting collapses.
With Sialkot and Multan playing at their best, the National T20 Cup is heating up and promises exciting action in the forthcoming quarterfinal matches.
FAQs
1. How did Multan and Sialkot get into the quarterfinals of the National T20 Cup?
Sialkot dominated Group D with six points, while Multan qualified after placing second with four points.
2. Who were the standout performers in Multan’s victory over FATA?
The leading batters were Arafat Minhas (37), Zain Abbas (51), and Majid. Siraj and Minhas each took two wickets.
3. Which performances were crucial to Sialkot’s victory over AJK?
The most notable hit was Mirza Baig’s blazing 76 off 44 balls, while Hasan Ali and Usama Mir both claimed three wickets.
4. Who scored the most points for AJK vs Sialkot?
Despite having a solid start, Hasan Raza (39), and Hasnain Nadeem (43), were unable to capitalize.
5. How likely are Multan and Sialkot to get to the knockout stage?
Despite their outstanding performances and well-balanced rosters, both clubs will have difficult opposition in the quarterfinals.
