SNGPL, SBP, HEC, Ghani Glass secure second-round wins in President’s Trophy

The third round of the first-class tournament begins on Monday

By Web Desk
January 16, 2025
Ghani Glass' players celebrate a breakthrough during the third day of the second-round match of President's Trophy Grade-I against Eshaal Associates in Karachi on January 16, 2025. — PCB

KARACHI: Defending champions Sui Northern Gas Pipelines Limited (SNGPL), State Bank of Pakistan (SBP), Higher Education Commission (HEC) and Ghani Glass won their respective second-round matches of the President’s Trophy Grade-I here on Thursday.

At the SBP Sports Complex, Mohammad Ismail’s five-wicket haul in the second innings led the home side to inflict an innings and 106-run defeat over Pakistan Television (PTV).

Resuming their second innings from an overnight score of 52-0 with a 269-run deficit, the PTV could add 163 runs to their total and were eventually bowled out for a modest 215.

Shamyl Hussain waged a lone battle for the PTV, scoring 49 off 104 balls with the help of seven boundaries.

Ismail was the standout bowler for the SBP, while Niaz Khan and Test pacer Mohammad Abbas, shared the remaining five wickets between them.

At the NBP Sports Complex, the HEC forced a remarkable turnaround to down Khan Research Laboratories (KRL) by a massive margin of 130 runs despite conceding a 46-run first innings lead.

Emerging pacer Mohammad Azab played a pivotal role in leading HEC to a thumping victory, courtesy of his magnificent match figures of 9/72.

At the commencement of the penultimate day, HEC resumed their second innings from an overnight score of 208/5 but could add 31 more runs and were thus dismissed for 239, setting KRL a modest 194-run target.

Obaid Shahid remained the top-scorer with 72 off 145 balls, laced with eight fours.

In response, the KRL’s batting unit was blown away by Azab-led HEC’s bowling attack and could accumulate 63 all out in 21.5 overs.

Azab took four wickets for 13 runs, while Waseem Akram Jnr made three scalps.

In another second-round fixture of the President’s Trophy Grade-I, Ghani Glass romped to a thumping 229-run victory over Eshaal Associates at Oval Academy Ground.

Earlier in the third day, Ghani Glass were bowled out for 242 in their second innings, setting Eshaal Associated a stiff 329-run target.

Test opener Sharjeel Khan top scored with a 57-ball 53, followed by Mohammad Rameez Jnr, who scored 50 off just 45 deliveries.

Right-arm emerging pacer Ubaid Shah ran through Eshaal Associates’ batting unit in the run chase and took four wickets to book them for a paltry 99.

At the UBL Sports Complex, defending champions SNGPL secured a seven-wicket victory over Oil and Gas Development Company Limited (OGDCL), courtesy of an all-round performance.

Resuming their second innings from an overnight score of 91-5, OGDCL could add 87 runs at the cost of their remaining five wickets and were bundled out for a mere 178 runs, setting a 178-run target for the SNGPL.

In response, Qasim Akram’s unbeaten half-century helped the defending champions chase down the total for the loss of just three wickets.

Qasim top-scored with 58 off 37 balls, laced with seven fours and two sixes, while Abid Ali (49) and Saad Khan (47) made handy contributions to help their team chase down the target in 44.4 overs.

The third round of the President’s Trophy Grade-I will kick off on Monday.

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