President's Trophy Grade-I: KRL, Sahir Associates, Ghani Glass conclude round four with wins

KARACHI: Khan Research Laboratories (KRL) secured a comprehensive 10-wicket victory over hosts State Bank of Pakistan (SBP) in a low-scoring contest to conclude Round Four of the President's Trophy Grade-I 2025-26 at State Bank Stadium on Sunday.

Resuming at 289-9, SBP managed to add just 13 more runs, being bowled out for 302 in 79.2 overs. This set a modest target of 40 runs for KRL. 

Shahid Aziz played a key role for SBP with a 54-run knock from 68 balls, including four boundaries and three sixes.

SBP's second innings began with a 262-run deficit, and half-centuries from Mohammad Huraira (54 off 69 balls) and Qasim Akram (62 off 78 balls) initially looked to steady the ship. 

Skipper Hasan Raza also contributed a crucial 49. However, KRL's Waqar Ahmed produced a five-wicket haul, leaving SBP reeling and on the brink of defeat.

KRL chased down the target in just the ninth over without losing a wicket. Wicketkeeper-batter Saad Baig remained unbeaten on 18 from 33 deliveries, while Shahzaib Khan top-scored with 25 off 19 balls, striking three boundaries and a six.

Earlier in the match, KRL had resumed their first innings at 365/8 and were bowled out for 368 in 130.3 overs. 

Waqar Ahmed led the scoring with 138 off 244 deliveries, including 17 fours, while Sarmad Bhatti scored 101 from 267 balls, striking 10 boundaries. Imran Rafiq and Saad Baig contributed 35 and 29 runs respectively.

SBP's Niaz Khan was the pick of the bowlers with figures of 4/78 in 33.3 overs, supported by Shahid (3 wickets) and Rameez Aziz (2 wickets). 

KRL's Mohammad Hamza claimed three wickets, with Aqib Liaqat taking two, complementing Ahmed's five-wicket haul.

At the KCCA Stadium, Sahir Associates secured a commanding 64-run victory over Oil and Gas Development Company Limited (OGDCL), thanks to stellar performances from Khan Zaib and Razaullah.

Chasing 156 for victory, OGDCL were bundled out for just 91 in 29 overs, with Khan Zaib and Razaullah claiming five wickets each to dismantle the batting lineup.

Only Mohammad Sarwar Afridi offered resistance, scoring an unbeaten 41 off 53 balls, including six fours.

Earlier, Sahir Associates, resuming their second innings at 147-8, managed 164 all out in 75.4 overs, setting OGDCL a modest target of 156.

Middle-order batter Mohammad Faiq top-scored with a patient 48 off 118 deliveries, while Ahmar Ashfaq contributed a brisk 43 off 70 balls. 

Asif Afridi and Jawad Ali led OGDCL's bowling with three wickets each, supported by Danish Aziz (2), and Mohammad Huzaifa and captain Adil Amin with one wicket apiece.

In the first innings, OGDCL had resumed at 220-6 in reply to Sahir Associates' 248 all out.

Mohammad Faiq remained the top-scorer for his side with 93 off 188 deliveries, including seven boundaries, while skipper Asim Ali Nasir scored 59 off 115 balls, featuring five fours.

They eventually reached 257 all out in 106.2 overs, taking a slim nine-run lead.

Opener Umar Siddiq top-scored with 79 off 180 deliveries, followed by Danish Aziz with 69 off 133 balls, while Israrullah and Asif Afridi added 30 runs each.

Rewayat Khan was the standout bowler for Sahir Associates, claiming a five-wicket haul for 59 runs in 26 overs, supported by Hafiz Mohammad Suleman, who took four wickets.

In another match at the UBL Sports Complex, Ghani Glass secured a commanding 106-run victory over Water and Power Development Authority (WAPDA) in the fourth-round match of the President's Trophy Grade-I, thanks to a sensational bowling performance by Noman Ali.

Resuming their second innings at 108-5 in 36 overs, WAPDA was bundled out for 136 in 45.3 overs.

Noman Ali was the star with the ball, claiming 5/45 in 17.3 overs, while Khurram Shahzad picked up four wickets and Sameen Gul chipped in with one.

Malhar Rasool top-scored for WAPDA with a patient 47 off 107 deliveries, supported by Ayaz Tasawar's 20 off 44 balls and Mohammad Zeeshan's late innings of 19 off 23 balls, which included four boundaries.

Ghani Glass had resumed their second innings at 166/2, holding an 85-run lead. They posted a total of 323 all out, largely due to a strong top-order performance.

Mohsin Riaz anchored the innings with 92 off 167 deliveries, while openers Khawaja Arham and Kashif Ali contributed 68 and 53, respectively.

For WAPDA, captain Khalid Usman was the standout bowler, taking four wickets, supported by Naqeebullah with three and Mohammad Zeeshan with two.

In the first innings, Ghani Glass were bowled out for 142 in 46.2 overs, with Ali Razzaq top-scoring with 64 off 108 balls, including nine fours and two sixes. 

Naqeebullah led WAPDA's bowling with three wickets, followed by Mohammad Zeeshan, Khalid Usman, and Mujtaba Khan with two each, while Mohammad Adil took one.

WAPDA replied with 223 in 67.1 overs, taking an 81-run first-innings lead. Ayaz Tasawar played a solid innings of 78 off 138 balls, hitting 11 fours and a six.

Noman Ali once again starred for Ghani Glass, taking 7/59 in 24 overs, while Mohammad Rameez Jr picked up two wickets and Khurram Shahzad one.

Yesterday, Pakistan Television (PTV) made history as they broke a 232-year-old record of successfully defending the smallest target in first-class cricket.

The defending champions had set a meagre target of 40 runs for Sui Northern Gas Pipelines Limited (SNGPL), but their bowling unit forced a miraculous outcome as they booked the opposition for just 37 to snatch a sensational two-run victory.

The 40-run target is now the smallest target successfully defended in the history of first-class cricket. The record was previously held by an English domestic club, Outfield, which defended 43 runs against Marylebone Cricket Club in 1794.

Left-arm spinner Ali Usman was the standout bowler for the holders in the sensational second innings as he bagged six wickets to finish with the 10-wicket match haul. He was adequately supported by all-rounder Amad Butt, who made four scalps.

Wicketkeeper batter Saifullah Bangash waged a lone battle for SNGPL as he top-scored with 14 off 35 deliveries, while the rest of his teammates could not amass double figures.

The pulsating third day of the fourth-round President's Trophy Grade-I fixture got underway with PTV resuming their second innings from 99/5 with a slender 27-run lead in their favour.

PTV could add 12 more to their overnight score as Shehzad Gul and Sajid Khan collectively ran through their batting tail, booking them for a modest 111 in 42.5 overs.

Mohammad Taha remained the top-scorer with 27 off 123 deliveries, followed by Mohammad Suleman, who made 25.

Shehzad was the standout bowler for SNGPL in the second innings, taking a five-wicket haul. He was supported by Sajid, who made three scalps, while Shahnawaz Dahani chipped in with two.