Omair Bin Yousuf’s ton scripts SNGPL’s commanding start against KRL

KARACHI: Top-order batter Omair Bin Yousuf smashed his 11th first-class century to put Sui Northern Gas Pipelines Limited (SNGPL) in a commanding position against Khan Research Laboratories (KRL) on the opening day of the fourth round of the President’s Trophy Grade-I here at the State Bank Stadium on Sunday.

Put into bat first, the defending champions had been reduced to 123/4 as Jawad Ali rocked their top order with two wickets.

But Omair remained firm and put together a defiant 164-run partnership for the fifth wicket with Saifullah Bangash to put SNGPL in control.

Omair Bin Yousuf eventually fell victim to Arshadullah after top-scoring with 106 off 209 deliveries with the help of 11 fours, while Bangash remained unbeaten on 88 at the conclusion of the opening day as SNGPL accumulated 302/8.

Bangash will resume SNGPL’s first innings on day two with Shehzad Gul, unbeaten on zero.

Arshadullah was the standout bowler for KRL as he picked up four wickets for 50 runs in his 20 overs, while Jawad bagged two.

At the UBL Sports Complex, a total of 20 wickets fell on an eventful opening day of the fourth-round fixture between Ghani Glass and Oil and Gas Development Company Limited (OGDCL).

Opting to bat first, OGDCL could only manage to score 80 runs before getting bowled out in 34.1 overs as Sameen Gul registered his ninth first-class five-wicket haul.

The right-arm pacer dismissed five OGDCL batters and leaked away only 14 runs in his 10.1 overs, while Mamoon Riaz chipped in with two scalps.

Wicketkeeper batter Rizwan Ali remained the top-scorer for OGDCL with a 59-ball 34, followed by middle-order batter Abdul Rehman Muzammil with a cautious 26.

In response, Ghani Glass secured a handy 65-run first-innings lead despite being bowled for a meagre 145 in 38.5 overs.

Skipper Saad Nasim top-scored with a brisk 41-ball 38, followed by Tayyab Tahir (36) and Shadab Khan (30).

Mohammad Amir Khan was the pick of the OGDCL bowlers, taking four wickets, while Mushtaq Ahmed picked up three.

At the NBP Sports Complex, last edition’s runners-up, Pakistan Television (PTV) were trailing by just 20 runs with seven wickets in hand at the conclusion of the opening day of their fourth-round fixture against Eshaal Associates.

Put into bat first, Eshaal Associates were bowled out for a paltry 164 in 46 overs despite Abdul Wahid Bangalzai’s gutsy 46 in the middle.

The right-handed batter remained the top-scorer for Eshaal Associates, while Test batter Abdullah Shafique was the other notable run-getter with his 31-ball 34.

Mohammad Ibtisam led PTV’s bowling charge with a five-wicket haul, while Israr Hussain played a supportive role with two dismissals to his name.

In response, Shamyl Hussain’s unbeaten half-century helped PTV to 144/3 at the stumps on the opening day.

At the close of play, the opening batter was unbeaten on 63 off 98 deliveries with the help of six fours and a six. He will resume PTV’s first innings on day two with middle-order batter Ali Usman, unbeaten on five.

For Eshaal Associates, Musa Khan and Nisar Ahmed took one wicket apiece thus far.

At the KCCA Stadium, the State Bank of Pakistan (SBP) were reeling at 23/2 after bowling out the Water and Power Development Authority (WAPDA) for a modest 250.

Skipper Umar Amin and top-order batter Ali Shan, unbeaten on seven and 11 respectively, will resume SBP’s response on the subsequent day as they trail by a further 227 runs.

Opting to bat first, WAPDA scored 250 all out, thanks to anchoring half-centuries by skipper Khalid Usman and Mohammad Ammar.

Khalid remained the top-scorer with an unbeaten 69 off 104 deliveries, while Ammar made 59 from 107 balls.

For SBP, Zahid Mehmood and Mohammad Ismail picked up three wickets each, while Aimal Khan claimed two.