PESHAWAR: Muhammad Umar’s economical bowling performance followed by Abdullah Fazal’s magnificent half-century helped Karachi Whites to a five-wicket victory over Sialkot in the first semi-final of the National T20 Cup 2026 at the Imran Khan Cricket Stadium on Tuesday.
The win helped Karachi Whites book their place in the finals of the 10-team tournament, where they will face either Abbottabad or Lahore Whites at the same venue on Wednesday.
Sialkot skipper Usama Mir’s decision to bat first backfired as they managed to post 165/9 in 20 overs despite a brave display from Hasan Nawaz.
The semi-final hero once again scored a blistering 43 off 33 balls with 2 sixes and several fours for Sialkot, followed by opener Khawaja Arham’s 40 off 33 balls with the help of 3 sixes and 2 fours.
Apart from them, wicketkeeper batsman Ali Afzal (26), skipper Usama (19) and opener Mohsin Riaz (15) could score double figures against a controlled bowling attack by Karachi Whites led by Umar who took 3 for 29 in his four overs.
Umar was supported by Mohammad Asghar who produced two scalps while Danish Aziz, Saqib Khan and Mir Hamza chipped in one each.
Chasing 166, Karachi Whites easily hit the winning runs with 5 wickets and 29 balls to spare.
Sialkot’s Usama Mir was dismissed as Karachi Whites put on a blistering 92 with their opening pair of Abdullah and captain South Shakeel.
Shakeel was a notable contributor, scoring 45 off 21 balls with 5 fours and 3 sixes.
His dismissal sparked a slump that saw the Karachi Blues lose three more wickets at an alarming rate, with Abdullah topping the scoreboard alone.
The left-handed opener eventually fell victim to Hamza Nasar in the 14th over to top off 88 off 41 balls with 7 sixes and 6 fours.
With the scoreboard at 146/5, Danish Aziz (15 not out) and Haroon Arshad (seven not out) batted sensibly to form an unbeaten 21-run partnership that took the Karachi Blues to glory in the 16th over.
Captain Usamah bowled well for Sialkot, taking 3 for 46 in four overs, while Hamza and Sufiyan Mukeem claimed a wicket each.