PTV, OGDCL register fourth-round wins in President’s Trophy Grade-I

KARACHI: Pakistan Television (PTV) and Oil and Gas Development Company Limited (OGDCL) won their respective fourth-round matches of the President’s Trophy Grade-I here on Tuesday.

At the NBP Sports Complex, wrist spinner Faisal Akram’s seven-wicket haul powered PTV to humble Eshaal Associates by an innings and 88 runs.

Resuming their second innings from an overnight score of 46/2 in response to PTV’s 531/9d, Eshaal Associates could add 232 more runs to their total and were eventually bowled out for a modest 279 in 69.1 overs.

In-form opening batter Azan Awais and Abdul Wahid Bangalzai made notable contributions with gutsy half-centuries, scoring 82 and 86, respectively.

The left-arm spinner was the pick of the bowlers for PTV, picking up seven wickets for 93 runs in 20.1 overs, while Ali Usman, Muhammad Shahzad and Mohammad Ibtisam made one scalp apiece.

At the UBL Sports Complex, OGDCL romped to a thrilling 52-run victory over Ghani Glass, courtesy of Mohammad Huzaifa’s six-wicket haul in the fourth innings.

Earlier in the day, OGDCL resumed their second innings from 225/3 and only managed to add 41 runs to their total for the remaining seven wickets.

Sameer Saqib, who only managed to add only one run to his overnight score, remained the top-scorer for OGDCL with 83 off 259 balls, laced with 10 fours.

For Ghani Glass, Mamoon Riaz and Sameen Gul took three wickets each, while Afaq Afridi and Ubaid Shah bagged two wickets each.

Chasing a modest 202-run target, Ghani Glass only managed 149 runs before getting bowled in 41.4 overs.

Test batter Sharjeel Khan (33) and Kashif Ali (31) were the notable run-getters for the losing side.

In the remaining fourth-round matches of the President’s Trophy Grade-I, the Water and Power Development Authority (WAPDA) set the State Bank of Pakistan (SBP) a 145-run target at the conclusion of the penultimate day.

The eventful day commenced with SBP resuming their first innings from an overnight score of 304/7 and adding 40 more to their tally to secure a handy first innings lead.

Trailing by 97 runs, WAPDA were bowled out for 241 in 77.4 overs, with Khalid Usman top-scoring with a 116-ball 78, followed by Bismillah Khan (46) and Ayaz Tasawar (43).

For SBP, Aimal Khan and Zahid Mehmood took three wickets each.

At the State Bank Stadium, Khan Research Laboratories (KRL) were 81/3 while chasing a 207-run target against defending champions Sui Northern Gase Pipelines Limited (SNGPL) at the conclusion of the third day’s action.