President's Trophy Grade-I: Sajid Khan’s six wickets put SNGPL in command over Sahir Associates

KARACHI: Sajid Khan’s brilliant six-wicket haul, combined with a commanding double century by skipper Shan Masood, put Sui Northern Gas Pipelines Limited (SNGPL) firmly in control against Sahir Associates in the first round of the President’s Trophy Grade-I 2025–26 at the National Bank of Pakistan Sports Complex on Monday.

Resuming their innings at 460-2 in 82.1 overs on day two, SNGPL continued their dominance before declaring at 575-5 in 105.5 overs. 

Captain Shan Masood led from the front, top-scoring with a superb 216 off 315 deliveries, which included 28 fours and two sixes. His innings eventually ended when he was dismissed by Mohammad Hasnain.

Omair Bin Yousuf and Saad Khan made useful contributions with 43 and 44 runs respectively, while Mohammad Awais Zafar chipped in with a quick 23 off 20 balls.

In reply, Sahir Associates’ batting collapsed as they were bowled out for just 136 in 45.2 overs, conceding a massive first-innings deficit of 439 runs.

Spinner Sajid Khan was the chief architect of the collapse, producing a magnificent spell.

The Sahir skipper and wicketkeeper-batter Asim Ali Nasir top-scored with 50 off 76 balls, hitting six fours. Faham-ul-Haq and Mohammad Hasnain were the only other batters to offer resistance, scoring 31 and 30 respectively.

Sajid Khan finished with outstanding figures of 6/22 in 16.2 overs, while Mohammad Salman and Shahnawaz Dahani claimed two wickets apiece.

Enforced to follow on, Sahir Associates reached 68-3 in 19 overs by the close of day two, losing Faham-ul-Haq, Fahad Usman and Hafiz Mohammad Suleman cheaply.

Earlier, SNGPL made a solid start on the opening day as openers Azan Awais and Ali Zaryab added 53 runs for the first wicket. Azan was the first to depart, dismissed by Bilawal for 26 off 68 balls, which included four boundaries.

Ali Zaryab then joined Shan Masood in a record-breaking partnership that completely dominated the Sahir Associates bowling attack. The duo piled on a massive 390-run stand, putting the opposition under severe pressure.

Hasnain eventually broke the partnership by dismissing Zaryab for a brilliant 192 off 237 deliveries, featuring 27 fours and four sixes. Masood remained unbeaten at stumps on day one, guiding SNGPL to 460-2.

In the second match of the tournament at the National Bank Stadium, Mohammad Hamza’s brilliant five-wicket haul, backed by solid contributions from Shahzaib Khan and Waqar Ahmed in the second innings, put Khan Research Laboratories (KRL) in a dominant position against Water and Power Development Authority (WAPDA).

Resuming their first innings at 75-4 in 23.1 overs, WAPDA were bowled out for 151 in 51.2 overs, thanks to a magnificent spell by Hamza, who claimed five wickets.

Sharoon Siraj top-scored for WAPDA with a resilient 77 off 131 balls, hitting nine fours, while the rest of the batting lineup failed to offer meaningful resistance.

Hamza led KRL’s bowling attack with figures of 536 in 15 overs. Arshad Iqbal provided strong support with three wickets, while Ahmed Bashir and Ahmad Hassan picked up one wicket each.

Trailing by 35 runs, KRL resumed their second innings and posted 189-7 in 45.2 overs. Shahzaib Khan and Waqar Ahmed played key roles, both registering half-centuries.

Shahzaib scored a patient 51 off 117 balls, including seven fours, while Waqar struck a brisk 52 off 41 deliveries, laced with 11 fours.

Sarmad Bhatti remained unbeaten on 30 off 37 balls at the close of the second day, helping KRL extend their overall lead to 154 runs. Arshad Iqbal was yet to open his account.

For WAPDA, Naqeebullah led the bowling effort with three wickets, while Aqib Khan and Mohammad Adil claimed two wickets apiece.

Earlier in the match, Aqib Khan starred with the ball as WAPDA dismissed KRL for a modest 116 in 46.4 overs in their first innings.

Opener Saad Baig top-scored with 22 off 30 balls, including three fours, while Junaid Ali added 21 off 64 balls.

Aqib was the standout performer, finishing with impressive figures of 6/18 in 11.4 overs, while Naqeebullah and Mohammad Zeeshan chipped in with two wickets each.

In the third match of the opening round, Mohsin Riaz’s exceptional innings helped Ghani Glass maintain momentum against Oil and Gas Development Company Limited (OGDCL) at the UBL Sports Complex.

Resuming their innings at 67-2 in 24 overs, Ghani Glass were eventually dismissed for 246 in 85.4 overs, with Mohsin Riaz top-scoring with 98 off 176 balls, including 13 fours and a six.

Ali Razzaq also made a valuable contribution, scoring 62 off 156 deliveries with seven fours and a six.

Danish Aziz was the standout bowler for OGDCL, taking 4 wickets for 31 runs in 11 overs, while Arshadullah and Mushtaq Ahmed claimed two wickets each. Mohammad Amir Khan and Asif Afridi chipped in with a wicket apiece.

Chasing a target with a 50-run deficit, OGDCL ended the day at 75-2 in 24 overs, leading by 25 runs. Israrullah led the scoring with 35 off 61 balls, including six fours, supported by Abdul Rehman Muzammil’s 28 off 69 deliveries.

Earlier, Ghani Glass’ bowlers dominated, restricting OGDCL to a modest first-innings total of 196 in 60 overs. Tail-ender Mushtaq Ahmed top-scored with a late knock of 58 off 77 balls, featuring five fours and three sixes.

Opener Sameer Saqib contributed 31 off 93 deliveries, while Danish added 22 off 37 balls, including two fours and a six.

Spinner Noman Ali and pacer Afaq Afridi spearheaded the bowling effort, each claiming four wickets, with Mir Hamza and Ubaid Shah picking up one wicket each.

In the fourth match of the tournament at the State Bank Stadium, Mohammad Suleman’s unbeaten knock, coupled with Amad Butt and Israr Hussain’s three-wicket spells, helped Pakistan Television (PTV) take control against State Bank of Pakistan (SBP).

Resuming their innings at 106-4 in 41 overs, SBP were bowled out for 153 in 64.2 overs, maintaining a first-innings lead of 54 runs.

Opening batter Hassan Raza top-scored with a gritty 49 off 178 deliveries, while Mohammad Huraira contributed 25 runs off 31 balls. Ghazi Ghori added 22, and tail-enders Qasim Akram and Niaz Khan chipped in with 19 and 12 runs respectively.

Amad Butt and Israr Hussain starred with three wickets each, while Mehran Sanwal and Musa Khan supported with two wickets apiece.

In reply, PTV ended the second day at 191-5 in 47.2 overs in their second innings. Mohammad Suleman led the way, remaining unbeaten on 75 off 128 balls, featuring six boundaries and four sixes.

Usman Salahuddin added 42 runs, while Arafat Minhas remained unbeaten on 31 off 53 balls, including four boundaries and a six.

For SBP, Mohammad Abbas took three wickets for 47 runs in 15.2 overs, with Kashif Ali and Niaz Khan claiming a wicket each.

Earlier, SBP bowler Mohammad Ismail had starred with a five-wicket haul to restrict PTV to a modest total in the first innings.

Batting first, PTV were bowled out for 99 in 30.4 overs. Mohammad Taha was the lone resistance, scoring 47 off 65 balls, including six fours and a six.

Ismail finished with figures of 5/27 in six overs, while Kashif Ali took four wickets and Qasim Akram one.