Mushtaq Ahmed takes five as OGDCL edge WAPDA in President’s Trophy Grade-I

The fourth round of President's Trophy Grade-I to commence on Sunday

By Web Desk
January 23, 2025
OGDCL's Asif Afridi (third from left) celebrates dismissing WAPDA's Mohammad Asghar during the fourth day of the third round of the President's Trophy Grade-I at KCCA Stadium in Karachi on January 23, 2025. — PCB

KARACHI: Right-arm pacer Mushtaq Ahmed’s five-wicket haul propelled Oil and Gas Development Company Limited (OGDCL) to beat Water and Power Development Authority (WAPDA) by 62 runs on the final day of the third round of the President’s Trophy Grade-I here at the KCCA Stadium on Thursday.

Chasing a daunting 321-run target, WAPDA resumed the pursuit from 9/2 on the final day but could accumulate 258 all out despite Ayaz Tasawar’s anchoring half-century.

The middle-order batter waged a lone battle for WAPDA with an unbeaten 126 off 162 deliveries, studded with 15 fours and four sixes.

Besides him, only wicketkeeper batter Bismillah Khan made a noteworthy contribution with a 64-ball 42.

Ayaz and Bismillah had kept WAPDA in the hunt with a hundred-run partnership for the sixth wicket until the latter fell victim to Mushtaq.

His dismissal opened the floodgates, which eventually resulted in a gruelling 62-run defeat.

Mushtaq Ahmed bagged five wickets for 96 runs in his 20 overs, while Arif Yaqoob picked up three wickets.

At the SBP Stadium, the third-round fixture between Pakistan Television (PTV) and Khan Research Laboratories (KRL) ended in a draw.

At the conclusion of the final day’s action, PTV were 456/3, leading by 312 runs, courtesy of Mohammad Taha’s maiden double century.

The opening batter remained the top-scorer for PTV with 226 off 321 deliveries, studded with 17 fours and nine sixes. His opening partner Waqar Hussain was equally impressive, scoring 154 off 255 balls with the help of 11 fours and three sixes.

For KRL, Mohammad Qaiser, Rohan Qadri and Naseerullah Khan took one wicket apiece in the second innings.

For the unversed, two third-round fixtures of the President’s Trophy Grade-I had already been concluded as Ghani Glass romped to a 10-wicket victory over Higher Education Commission (HEC) on Tuesday, while State Bank of Pakistan (SBP) stunned defending champions Sui Northern Gas Pipelines Limited (SNGPL) by seven wickets on Wednesday.

It is pertinent to mention that the fourth round of the ongoing tournament will commence on Sunday.

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