All-round Jahandad Khan guides PTV to President's Cup Grade-I final

KARACHI: All-rounder Jahandad Khan played a starring role as PTV secured a place in the President’s Cup Grade-I final, thrashing ODGCL by 84 runs in the first semi-final on Monday at the National Bank Stadium.

Chasing a challenging total of 242, ODGCL were bowled out for 157 in 30.5 overs despite a promising start.

Openers Maaz Sadaqat and Imam ul Haq put together a bright 43-run partnership, with Maaz scoring a quick 35 off 16 balls, including three fours and three sixes.

However, the momentum shifted in the fifth over when Maaz was dismissed. Haroon Arshad followed soon after, departing for just one run, leaving ODGCL at 44-2.

Key batter Imam ul Haq managed only 20 off 21 balls before falling to Israr Hussain, and two more quick wickets saw the team reeling at 79-5 in 12.1 overs.

Contributions from Danish Aziz (14) and Rohail Nazir (17) provided some resistance, but the middle order soon collapsed.

Spinner Faisal Akram claimed two vital wickets, while Mohammad Amir Khan and Arshadullah were dismissed cheaply. Jahandad Khan finished as the pick of the bowlers for PTV, picking up two wickets alongside Israr Hussain, Ammad Butt, Ali Usman and Faisal Akram.

Batting first, PTV had a steady start with openers Shamyl Hussain and Yasir Khan adding 28 runs.

However, early wickets fell as Shamyl was dismissed for 11 and Yasir for 14, leaving PTV struggling at 30-2.

Further blows saw the side slip to 74-4, but Mohammad Taha and Taimur Khan steadied the innings with an 85-run partnership. Taha scored 35 while Taimur narrowly missed a half-century, making 48.

Jahandad Khan provided the late flourish, scoring a blistering 63 off 47 balls with six fours and four sixes, lifting PTV to 241 all out in 50 overs.

Ammad Butt, Adil Ameen, and Muhammad Imran shared the wickets for ODGCL, with Ameen taking a three-wicket haul.