Ton-up Waqar, Sarmad help KRL dominate SBP in President's Trophy Grade-I

KARACHI: Centuries from Waqar Ahmed and Sarmad Bhatti put Khan Research Laboratories (KRL) in command against State Bank of Pakistan (SBP) in the fourth-round match of the President's Trophy Grade-I at the State Bank Stadium on Friday.

Resuming their innings on day two at 135-3 in 38 overs, KRL extended their dominance thanks to stellar knocks from Waqar and Sarmad.

Waqar top-scored with 138 off 244 balls, including 17 fours, while Sarmad remained unbeaten on 100 off 257 deliveries, striking 10 boundaries.

Imran Rafiq contributed 35 off 82 balls with five fours, and opening batter Saad Baig added 29 from 51 deliveries.

KRL ended day two at 365-8 in 128 overs, holding a healthy lead of 259 runs, with Sarmad and Hamza set to resume the innings on day three.

Niaz Khan led SBP's bowling attack, taking three wickets for 77 runs in 32 overs. Shahid and Rameez Aziz picked up two wickets each, while Kashif Bhatti claimed one.

Earlier, SBP, batting first, managed only 106 runs before being bowled out in 38.2 overs, despite a valiant effort from Muhammad Ghazi Ghori.

The wicketkeeper-batter top-scored with a resilient 40, while tailenders Kashif Bhatti (16) and Niaz Khan (11) were the only others to reach double figures.

Mohammad Hamza spearheaded KRL's bowling with a four-wicket haul, supported by three wickets each from Ahmed Bashir and Abdul Wahid.

In the next match of the tournament at KCCA Stadium, Asif Afridi's seven-wicket haul, followed by Umar Siddiq's gutsy half-century, eased the pressure on Oil and Gas Development Company Limited (OGDCL) against Sahir Associates.

Resuming their innings at 245-8, Sahir Associates were eventually bowled out for 248 in 97 overs, thanks to an exceptional bowling performance by Asif Afridi.

Faiq top-scored with a patient 93 off 188 deliveries, while Asim contributed 59 runs from 115 balls. Middle-order batter Mohammad Saleem added 43 off 147 deliveries, and Razaullah chipped in with 29 off 64 deliveries.

Afridi led the bowling attack with figures of 7/73 in 36 overs, supported by Mohammad Huzaifa, Adil Amin, and Jawad Ali, who took one wicket each.

OGDCL ended the second day at 220-6 in 88 overs, still trailing by 28 runs. Danish Aziz remained unbeaten on 43 off 87 deliveries, while Asif Afridi contributed 22 off 73. The innings will resume on day three.

Opener Umar Siddiq top-scored for OGDCL with a gritty 79 off 180 balls, including seven fours, while Israrullah and Haroon Arshad added 30 and 23 runs respectively. 

For Sahir Associates, Hafiz Mohammad Suleman and Rewayat Khan claimed three wickets each.

At the National Bank Stadium, Saifullah Bangash and Shehzad Gul stole the spotlight on day three as Sui Northern Gas Pipelines Limited (SNGPL) squared off against defending Champions Pakistan Television (PTV)

Resuming their innings at 58-3 in 18 overs, SNGPL were eventually bowled out for 238 in 67.3 overs.

Wicketkeeper-batter Saifullah Bangash top-scored with a well-crafted 71 off 104 balls, featuring eight fours and a six. 

Omair Bin Yousuf contributed 42 off 65 deliveries, including six boundaries, while Sajid Khan added a quick 34 off 28 balls with seven fours.

For PTV, Ali Usman led the attack, taking 4 wickets for 66 runs in 28 overs. Amad Butt and Israr Hussain supported with three wickets apiece.

Pakistan Television resumed their second innings and ended day three at 99-5 in 36.5 overs, leading by 27 runs. Mohammad Taha remained unbeaten on 25 off 101 balls, striking three fours. 

Mohammad Suleman also contributed 25, while opener Shamyl Hussain added 17 runs.

SNGPL bowlers made early inroads, with Shehzad Gul and Shahnawaz Dahani dismantling PTV's top order with two wickets each, complemented by Sajid Khan who claimed one wicket.

Earlier in the match, Shehzad Gul's four-wicket haul had helped SNGPL restrict defending champions PTV to a modest 166 in 66.2 overs.

All-rounder Amad Butt top-scored for PTV with an unbeaten 46 off 64 deliveries, followed by Mohammad Taha, who made a cautious 38 from 129 balls. 

Gul finished with figures of 4/40 in 16.2 overs, while Dahani and Khan took two wickets apiece.

At the UBL Sports Complex, Noman Ali's exceptional seven-wicket spell, combined with resilient half-centuries from Khawaja Arham and Kashif Ali, helped Ghani Glass take command over Water and Power Development Authority (WAPDA) in a crucial contest.

Resuming their innings at 129-4 in 33 overs, WAPDA were bowled out for 223 in 67.1 overs. Ayaz Tasawar top-scored with 78 off 138 deliveries, including 11 fours and a six, while opener Mohammad Akhlaq contributed 38 runs.

For Ghani Glass, Noman Ali was the star with figures of 7/59 in 24 overs. Mohammad Rameez Jr claimed two wickets, and Khurram Shahzad added one more to the tally.

In reply, Ghani Glass ended day two at 166-2 in 53 overs, leading by 85 runs.

Khawaja Arham scored a patient 68 off 117 deliveries, hitting nine fours and two sixes, while Kashif Ali added 53 off 101 deliveries before falling to Khalid Usman and Sharoon Siraj, respectively. Mohsin Riaz and Tayyab Tahir were unbeaten on 22 and 21 runs.

Earlier, Ghani Glass had struggled in their first innings, being bowled out for a modest 142 in 46.4 overs despite Ali Razzaq's resilient unbeaten half-century.

Ali top-scored with 64 off 108 balls, including eight fours and two sixes, while only Tayyab Tahir (33) and Saad Nasim (10) managed double figures.

Naqeebullah led WAPDA's bowling attack with 3/46 in 12 overs. Mohammad Zeeshan, Mujtaba Khan, and captain Khalid Usman picked up two wickets each, while Mohammad Adil claimed one.

Ghani Glass now look well-placed to push for a strong position on day three, with Noman Ali's devastating bowling and solid contributions from the middle order giving them a clear advantage.