Islamabad vs Lahore Blues: Battle rages for T20 National Cup quarterfinals

FAISALABAD: Lahore Blues are currently taking on Islamabad Region (Islamabad vs Lahore Blues) in the 32^nd match of the National T20 Cup 2025 at the Iqbal Stadium in Faisalabad.

The match commenced at 7:30 PM on Friday and is critical for both teams as they seek a place in the quarterfinals of the tournament.

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As of the latest update, Lahore Blues need 54 runs in 17 overs to win, with a required run rate (RRR) of 5.53. Meanwhile, their current run rate (CRR) is 8.33.

The Blues have scored 13 runs at a loss of 0 wickets in 2 overs. Islamabad Region set them a target of 119 runs at a loss of 9 wickets in the allotted 20 overs.

Islamabad won the toss and opted to bat first, hoping to set a good target for the opponents. Meanwhile, the Lahore bowling attack, led by Mohammad Rizwan, has been effective in containing the Islamabad batters.

Rizwan took one wicket for 31 runs in his four overs, with an economy rate of 7.75. Salman Mirza similarly clinched a single wicket at a loss of 16 runs in three overs.

Nisar Ahmad pecked two wickets off Islamabad’s side, while Hussain Talat stole the show with 4 wickets, proving why he is the captain. He also yielded very few runs (14) in three overs, with an economy of 4.67.

Lahore Blues, Islamabad Region table points

Both teams entered the match with four points in Group B, with Lahore Blues sitting in second place and Islamabad Region in third due to the net run rate (NRR).

While the Blues recorded two wins and a single loss in their previous matches, Islamabad also secured two victories following an initial setback.

The competition in Group B is intense, with both teams aware that a win is essential to secure a spot in the knockout stages.

National T20 Cup 2025

The National T20 Cup 2025 features a total of 16 teams divided into four groups, with each team playing a series of matches in round-robin format. The top two teams from each group will advance to the quarterfinals, leading to the semifinals and ultimately, the finals.

This year’s tournament began on March 14, and will conclude with the final match scheduled for April 5.

The tournament has seen a mix of established players and emerging talent. The matches are being held across different venues, with the Iqbal Stadium in Faisalabad serving as one of the key locations for this year’s competition.

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As the Islamabad vs Lahore Blues match progresses, every catch, every run, and every bowl bowled will be critical in determining the fate of both teams in the National T20 Cup 2025.