KARACHI: Pakistan’s Test opener Sharjeel Khan’s twin fifties, coupled with Haseeb-ur-Rehman’s bowling exploits, led Ghani Glass to a resounding 10-wicket victory over Higher Education Commission (HEC) on day two of the third round of President’s Trophy Grade-I here at the UBL Sports Complex on Tuesday.
The victory marked Ghani Glass' second consecutive in the first-class tournament as they had secured a thumping 229-run victory over Eshaal Associates in the previous round.
Set to chase a modest 102-run target, Ghani Glass comfortably knocked the winning runs in 13.4 overs, thanks to Sharjeel’s unbeaten half-century.
The left-handed opener, who scored an 83-ball 75 in the first innings, backed it up with an unbeaten 54 off 49 deliveries, studded with five fours and three sixes.
He was adequately supported by fellow opener Kashif Ali, who made 44 not out from 35 deliveries with the help of 10 boundaries.
Earlier in the day, Ghani Glass were bowled out for 191 in the first innings and thus secured a handy 51-run lead over HEC.
In response, HEC only managed to accumulate 152/9 in 47 overs despite a gutsy half-century by Abdullah Fazal.
The opening batter top-scored for HEC with 89 off 155 balls, laced with 13 fours and a six.
Off-spinner Haseeb-ur-Rehman was the standout bowler for Ghani Glass as he recorded brilliant match figures of 9-85, while Mir Hamza, Afaq Afridi and Ubaid Shah took two wickets each.
In another third-round fixture, Waqar Ahmed’s unbeaten century reduced Khan Research Laboratories’ (KRL) first-innings deficit against Pakistan Television (PTV).
Waqar, who was unbeaten on 172 off 279 deliveries at the conclusion of the second day, powered KRL to 286/6 in response to PTV’s 335 all out.
The opening batter will resume KRL’s fightback on day three with wicketkeeper batter Saad Baig, unbeaten on six, as they trail by a further 49 runs.
At the NBP Sports Complex, defending champions Sui Northern Gas Pipelines Limited (SNGPL) secured a narrow 20-run lead over State Bank of Pakistan (SBP) on an eventful second day of their third-round President’s Trophy Grade-I clash.
At the stumps, SNGPL were 78/2 with Shahzaib Khan and Shehzad Gul, unbeaten on 37 and four, respectively, at the crease.
Earlier in the day, SBP, who resumed their first innings from the overnight score of 71/2, managed to accumulate 300 before betting bowled out in 76.3 overs and thus secured a 58-run lead.
For SBP, Muhammad Ghazi Ghori (83*), Imran Butt (75), Rameez Aziz (68) and skipper Umar Amin (51) contributed with half-centuries.
At the KCCA Stadium, Mohammad Ammar’s unbeaten half-century helped the Water and Power Development Authority (WAPDA) fight back against Oil and Gas Development Company Limited (OGDCL).
ODGCL, resuming their first innings from an overnight score of 265/5, went on to score 346 all out in 122.2 overs, courtesy of half-centuries from Hasan Raza (81) and Abdul Rehman Muzammil (68), while Arsal Sheikh chipped in with a 48-run knock.
For WAPDA, Ali Raza, Khalid Usman and Mohammad Asghar bagged three wickets each.
In response, WAPDA were 168-4 in 61 overs with Ammar (58*) and Hassan Abid Kiyani (10*) at the crease.
The duo will resume WAPDA’s response on the penultimate day as they still trail by 178 runs.
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