Pacers power SBP to stun SNGPL in President’s Trophy Grade-I

KRL’s Waqar Ahmed smashes maiden first-class double century against PTV

By Web Desk
January 22, 2025
SNGPL's Arafat Minhas (left) walks off the field after first day of the first-round President's Trophy Grade-I match against PTV on January 8, 2025. — PCB

KARACHI: A combined bowling effort led State Bank of Pakistan (SBP) to a resounding seven-wicket victory over defending champions Sui Northern Gas Pipelines Limited (SNGPL) on day three of the third round of President’s Trophy Grade-I here at the NBP Sports Complex on Wednesday.

Set to chase a modest 82-run target, SBP knocked the winning runs in 14.5 overs and lost three wickets in the process.

Top-order batter Mohammad Saleem (28) top-scored for SBP in the run-chase, followed by opening batter Imran Butt, who made 25.

Earlier in the day, SNGPL resumed their first innings from an overnight score of 78/2 and could add 61 more runs to their total, eventually getting bowled out for 139.

Openers Shahzaib Khan (40) and Abid Ali (34) were the notable run-getters for the defending champions.

For SBP, Niaz Khan and Kashif Bhatti took three wickets each, while Mohammad Ismail and Aimal Khan dismissed two batters each.

At the SBP Sports Complex, Waqar Ahmed’s double century powered Khan Research Laboratories (KRL) to a handy first innings lead over Pakistan Television (PTV).

The opening batter, who resumed the penultimate day from an overnight score of 172 not out, crossed his personal best in first-class and smashed his maiden double-century.

He top-scored for KRL with 246 off 428 deliveries, studded with 19 fours 4 sixes. Wicketkeeper batter Saad Baig also made significant contribution, scoring 95 off 126 balls with the help of 10 fours and two sixes.

The duo also shared a 180-run stand for the seventh wicket.

Ali Usman was the standout bowler for the PTV as he picked up three wickets, while Faisal Akram and Israr Hussain bagged two each.

In response, PTV had reduced the deficit to 13 runs by the conclusion of the third day as they had amassed 131/0 with opening pair of Waqar Hussain (81*) and Mohammad Taha (43*) on the crease.

In another third-round fixture, the Water and Power Development Authority (WAPDA) were reeling at 9/2 while chasing a daunting 321-run target against Oil and Gas Development Company Limited (OGDCL) at the KCCA Stadium.

WAPDA started the penultimate day by resuming their first innings from an overnight score of 168-4 and finished at 208/9, conceding 138-run deficit.

Middle-order batter Mohammad Ammar top-scored with an anchoring half-century, scoring 68 from 198 deliveries, laced with six boundaries.

In response, OGDCL were bowled out for a modest 182, courtesy of Khalid Usman’s bowling exploits.

WAPDA’s skipper bagged four wickets, while pacer Ali Raza returned brilliant figures of 3-22 in 14 overs.

For the unversed, one third-round fixture of the President’s Trophy Grade-I was concluded on Tuesday as Ghani Glass romped to a 10-wicket victory over Higher Education Commission (HEC).

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