Usama Mir, other players jetlagged ahead of Quaid-e-Azam Trophy’s triangular stage
Sialkot Faces Health Concerns as Quaid-e-Azam Trophy Triangular Stage Begins
The Sialkot cricket team, led by skipper Usama Mir, is grappling with health issues ahead of the Quaid-e-Azam Trophy’s triangular stage, starting tomorrow in Abbottabad.
Travel Woes Impact Sialkot Squad
The team endured a grueling two-day journey from Mirpur to Abbottabad due to blocked highways near Islamabad. Departing on Saturday morning, they finally arrived on Sunday evening.
Sources revealed that several players, including Usama Mir, fell unwell during the journey. As a result, the captain and a few teammates skipped today’s training session. Usama, who claimed 13 wickets in the group stage, remains uncertain for tomorrow’s match, pending medical clearance.
Triangular Stage Teams
Sialkot will compete against Peshawar and Lahore Whites in the triangular stage of Pakistan’s premier domestic cricket tournament.
Group Stage Highlights
Top Batters
- Imam-ul-Haq: Multan’s left-handed batter led the runs chart with 635 runs, including a tournament-high score of 184.
- Umar Amin (Rawalpindi): Scored 476 runs, securing second place.
- Maaz Sadaqat (Peshawar): A promising youngster with 462 runs, currently third, could overtake Imam during the triangular stage.
- Abid Ali (Bahawalpur): Scored 425 runs, continuing his bid for a Test comeback.
Top Bowlers
- Musa Khan (Islamabad): Dominated with 38 wickets.
- Mohammad Abbas (Lahore Blues) and Mehran Sanwal: Both secured 31 dismissals each.
- Afaq Afridi (FATA): Delivered the best figures, taking 8 for 57.
- Ubaid Shah (Naseem Shah’s younger brother): Matched Afaq with another eight-wicket haul.
Fielding and Wicketkeeping
- Zain Abbas (Multan): Topped fielding charts with 11 catches.
- Afzal Manzoor (Multan): Led wicketkeeping stats with 26 dismissals.
Triangular Stage Schedule
- Match 1: Peshawar vs Sialkot (Nov 26-29) – Abbottabad Cricket Stadium
- Match 2: Peshawar vs Lahore Whites (Dec 2-5) – Abbottabad Cricket Stadium
- Match 3: Lahore Whites vs Sialkot (Dec 27-30) – Venue TBC
Final Match
The top two teams from the triangular stage will clash in the final, scheduled for January 2-6, 2025, at a venue to be confirmed.
As the triangular stage kicks off, all eyes will be on the health and performance of Sialkot’s key players, including their captain, Usama Mir.
