Saim Ayub Steers Karachi Whites to Win In Rain-Hit T20 Cup Clash

Karachi Region Whites continued their strong run in the National T20 Cup 2026. They edged past Bahawalpur Region by 12 runs in a rain-interrupted encounter at the Imran Khan Cricket Stadium on Monday.

The evening had plenty going on. Big hits, quick wickets, and a chase that suddenly changed shape once rain stepped in.

Bahawalpur, asked to bat first, built a solid total of 185 for eight from their 20 overs. The start looked steady. Muhammad Akram and Muhammad Faizan Zafar partnered together a 54-run opening stand that kept the scoreboard moving.

Akram cracked five boundaries during his brisk 25 before Muhammad Umar removed him. Shortly after, Saim Ayub struck with the ball as well, sending Saad Khan back for eight. A handy spell at that stage. The pressure shifted slightly.

Faizan Zafar looked set for a fifty. Timing was clean, placement even better. Yet the milestone slipped away. Ayub trapped him for 49, leaving Bahawalpur just short of a stronger platform.

Then came Muhammad Irfan’s burst of power. He hid five towering sixes and one boundary. His 59 off 35 balls pushed Bahawalpur toward a competitive total and briefly lifted the mood in the dugout.

Ayub’s calm finish seals the chase

When Karachi began their response, rain arrived and the numbers changed. The revised target stood at 78 under the DLS method.

Saim Ayub Karachi Whites walked out with Abdullah Fazal and immediately looked comfortable.

Ayub did not rush. He picked gaps early, then opened his shoulders once the field spread. A couple of crisp boundaries brought noise from the stands. Later, two clean sixes made the equation straightforward.

He made 53 from 33 deliveries. Fazal quietly supported him with 25 from 21 balls as the pair kept the chase easy.

Karachi Whites reached the target without losing a wicket in nine overs. They got their second straight victory in the National T20 Cup 2026.

Inside the dressing room, there were smiles. Two matches and two wins shapes strong momentum for Karachi Whites.

For now, Saim Ayub Karachi Whites look settled and confident. And early in the tournament, this form and and rhythm matters.