President's Trophy Grade-I: Arshad Iqbal’s fifer puts KRL in command against Sahir Associates

KARACHI: Khan Research Laboratories (KRL) tightened their grip on the contest after a dramatic second day marked by dominant bowling performances, leaving Sahir Associates struggling at 42-4 in their second innings of the fifth match of the President's Trophy Grade-I 2025-26 here on Sunday at the National Bank Stadium.

Exceptional spells from Arshad Iqbal and Mohammad Hamza ensured KRL maintained control after setting a challenging target of 228 runs.

Batting first, KRL were bundled out for 204 runs in 54.2 overs, courtesy of disciplined bowling by Sahir Associates.

Wicketkeeper-batter Saad Baig anchored the innings with a well-compiled 64 off 83 deliveries, striking 11 fours. 

Hamza Nazar provided valuable support down the order with 46 runs from 54 balls, including seven fours and a six. Imran Rafiq and Sarmad Bhatti chipped in with 21 runs apiece.

For Sahir Associates, Mohammad Hasnain, Bilawal and Mohammad Mohsin Khan led the bowling attack, claiming two wickets each. Khan Zaib, Attaullah Khan and Mohammad Afzal supported well, picking up one wicket apiece.

In reply, Sahir Associates, led by Asim Ali Nasir, were bowled out for just 123 runs in 34.3 overs as KRL’s bowlers ran through the batting lineup.

Arshad Iqbal produced a sensational spell, finishing with figures of 5/24 from 14 overs. Ahmed Bashir claimed three wickets, while Mohammad Hamza took two.

Tail-ender Mohammad Afzal top-scored for Sahir Associates with a brisk 25 off 22 balls, hitting two fours and two sixes. Mohammad Faiq added a run-a-ball 24, but the rest of the batting unit failed to offer resistance.

Holding an 81-run first-innings lead, KRL were dismissed for 146 runs in 31.4 overs in their second innings, setting Sahir Associates a target of 228 runs.

Imran Rafiq top-scored with 31 off 41 balls, including six fours. The opening batter contributed a run-a-ball 30, while Ahmad Hassan and Hamza Nazar added 25 and 22 runs respectively.

At stumps on the second day, Sahir Associates were reeling at 42-4 in 16 overs. Mohammad Faiq remained unbeaten on 21 off 35 deliveries, while skipper Asim Ali Nasir was at the other end with seven off 28 balls.

Mohammad Hamza and Arshad Iqbal struck early to dent Sahir Associates’ top order, picking up two wickets each.

Openers Faham-ul-Haq and Fahad Usman were dismissed for one and four respectively, while Mohammad Mohsin Khan and Mohammad Basit managed only two and six runs.

At the UBL Sports Complex, Oil and Gas Development Company Limited (OGDCL) consolidated their dominance against defending champions Pakistan Television (PTV) with a commanding batting display on the second day, powered by a magnificent century from Haroon Arshad.

Resuming their innings at 73-1 in 21 overs, OGDCL went on to post a formidable total of 302 in 90.2 overs.

Haroon Arshad anchored the innings with a superb 104 off 210 deliveries, laced with 14 fours. Top-order batters Umar Siddiq and Israrullah also made valuable contributions, registering half-centuries. 

Siddiq scored a patient 56 off 127 balls, while Israrullah chipped in with 53 runs.

For PTV, Israr Hussain led the bowling attack with an impressive seven-wicket haul, finishing with figures of 7/95 in 27.2 overs. Amad Butt, Musa Khan and Arafat Minhas picked up one wicket each.

In reply, PTV reached 22 without loss at stumps on day two, still trailing by 81 runs. Openers Shamyl Hussain, unbeaten on 21, and Waqar Hussain, on one, will resume batting on the third day.

Earlier in the match, a collective bowling effort from OGDCL had put them in a strong position after dismissing PTV for a modest 199 in 57.1 overs on the opening day.

Mohammad Taha top-scored for PTV with a well-crafted 63 off 116 balls, which included nine fours and a six. All-rounder Arafat Minhas provided some resistance with a quick 33 off 35 deliveries.

Muhammad Umar spearheaded OGDCL’s bowling attack with a four-wicket haul, while Muhammad Imran claimed three wickets.

State Bank of Pakistan (SBP) tightened their grip on the second-round President’s Trophy Grade-I clash against Ghani Glass after a dominant all-round display on day two at the NBP Sports Complex, taking a commanding 166-run lead with seven wickets in hand.

Resuming their first innings at 31-4 in 20 overs, Ghani Glass were bundled out for 174 in 57.2 overs.

Top-order batter Tayyab Tahir was the lone bright spot, top-scoring with a patient 60 off 142 deliveries, laced with eight fours.

Mohammad Rameez Jr and Saad Nasim offered some resistance down the order, contributing 39 and 38 runs respectively, but the rest of the batting line-up failed to make meaningful contributions.

For SBP, Mohammad Abbas led the bowling attack with a brilliant six-wicket haul for 27 runs in 22 overs. Kashif Bhatti claimed two wickets, while Kashif Ali and Mohammad Ismail chipped in with one wicket each.

Trailing by 28 runs, SBP began their second innings positively and reached 194-3 in 44 overs at stumps on day two.

Mohammad Ghazi Ghori remained unbeaten on a fluent 113 off 104 deliveries, while Rameez Aziz provided solid support with an unbeaten 47 off 102 balls.

Earlier in the match, SBP were bowled out for 202 in 58 overs after being put into bat. Abdullah Fazal played a lone hand, top-scoring with a resolute 113 off 176 deliveries, including 15 fours. Qasim Akram was the next-best contributor with 21 runs.

Afaq Afridi was the standout bowler for Ghani Glass, finishing with four wickets, while Ubaid Shah picked up three. Test pacer Mir Hamza claimed two wickets, and Tayyab Tahir added one to his name.

In another exciting second-round encounter at the SBP Sports Complex, Water and Power Development Authority (WAPDA) gained the upper hand against Sui Northern Gas Pipelines Limited (SNGPL) after posting a commanding first-innings total and putting the opposition under pressure in their second innings.

Resuming their innings at 63-1 in 16 overs, WAPDA were eventually bundled out for 276 in 71.4 overs, thanks to an exceptional knock from Khalid Usman, who scored 96 off 88 deliveries, including 11 fours and five sixes.

Ayaz Tasawar and Bismillah Khan added 37 runs each, while opener Imran Dogar contributed 36 to bolster the total.

For SNGPL, Mohammad Salman and Bilawal Bhatti led the bowling effort with three wickets apiece, while Shahnawaz Dahani and Athar Mehmood chipped in with two wickets each.

Chasing a deficit of 129 runs, SNGPL ended day two at 33-1 in 17 overs. Azan Awais and skipper Shan Masood remained at the crease with 19 and six runs respectively, determined to keep their side in the contest.

Earlier, SNGPL, sent in to bat first, managed just 147 runs in 60.3 overs. Middle-order batter Omair Bin Yousuf top-scored with 45 off 130 deliveries, followed by Saad Khan, who made 21.

Aqib spearheaded WAPDA's bowling attack with a five-wicket haul, supported by Naqeebullah and Mohammad Adil, who claimed two wickets each.