Sialkot Region clinched their third Quaid-e-Azam Trophy title, when they beat Peshawar Region by a mere one wicket at the UBL Sports Complex, Karachi. The narrow escape capped off their successful campaign in the 2024-25 first-class season where they played a total of eight matches, winning five and drawing three.
Opening batter Azan Awais was Sialkot’s linchpin in their title-winning campaign, scoring the most runs in the tournament – 844 runs in 13 innings at an average of 76.73. Peshawar’s Maaz Sadaqat was second best with 646 runs in 11 innings.
20-year-old Azan, who represented Pakistan at the ICC U19 World Cup 2024, made his first-class debut in Sialkot’s opening fixture against FATA Region at the Jinnah Stadium, Gujranwala and got off the mark in the format with an 89-ball 51 including six fours and one six.
It took him just three games to register his maiden first-class century, which came against Dera Murad Jamali at Rana Naved-ul-Hasan Cricket Academy Ground, Sheikhupura. He smashed 130 off 219 balls with the help of 20 fours and partnered with Ashir Mehmood for a 312-run opening partnership.
Reflecting on his maiden first-class season, Azan said, ‘I’ve really enjoyed my first outing in Quaid-e-Azam Trophy and learned a lot from this experience. The team management and senior players have been really supportive. Scoring runs for my team in various conditions has really boosted my confidence.’