President's Trophy Grade-I: Niaz, Abdullah put SBP in early control against OGDCL

KARACHI: Niaz Khan's five-wicket haul, followed by Abdullah Fazal's unbeaten century, put State Bank of Pakistan (SBP) into a massive first-inning lead over Oil and Gas Development Company Limited (OGDCL) on the opening day of their sixth-round President's Trophy Grade-I match here at the National Bank Stadium on Tuesday.

OGDCL captain Imam-ul-Haq's decision to bat first backfired as his team was booked for a meagre 76 in just 26 overs.

No.10 batter Mushtaq Ahmed remained the top-scorer with a 20-ball 19, while wicketkeeper batter Umar Siddiq (10) was the other to amass double figures.

Niaz spearheaded SBP's bowling charge with a five-wicket haul, followed by Qasim Akram with three scalps, while Sirajuddin and Kashif Bhatti chipped in with one scalp apiece.

In response, SBP finished the opening day at 246 in 59 overs, piling up a massive 170-run lead, courtesy of an unbeaten 242-run partnership for the second wicket between centurion Abdullah and Mohammad Huraira.

Abdullah remained the top-scorer with an unbeaten 140 off 187 deliveries, while Huraira had made 95 not out from 164 deliveries. The duo will resume SBP's response on the second day as the sixth-placed side look to bolster their lead.

At the SBP Sports Complex, pacer Khan Zaib's six-wicket haul led Sahir Associates within touching distance of securing the lead against Ghani Glass on the opening day of the penultimate round.

Opting to bat first, Ghani Glass could accumulate 155 before getting bowled out in 42.2 overs. Experienced opener Sharjeel Khan remained the top-scorer with a 44-ball 45, followed by skipper Noman Ali, who made 33 from 32 deliveries.

Zaib was the standout bowler for Sahir Associates, taking six wickets for 86 runs in his 19 overs, while Razaullah, Mohammad Mohsin Khan and captain Hafiz Mohammad Suleman chipped in with one scalp apiece.

In turn, Sahir Associates finished the opening day in a commanding position as they had amassed 75/2, reducing the deficit to 83 runs.

Sahir Associates, however, had a contrasting start to their first innings as they had been reduced to 21/2 after their openers Asim Ali Nasir (three) and Fahad Usman (seven) fell victim to Noman Ali and Ali Shabbir, respectively.

Following the early stutter, Mohammad Faiq and Mohammad Saleem, not out on 36 and 24, respectively, stabilised their innings with an unbeaten 54-run partnership.

At the UBL Sports Complex here, the sixth-round President's Trophy Grade-I match between holders Pakistan Television (PTV) and Water and Power Development Authority (WAPDA) hung in the balance after the pulsating opening day.

Opting to bat first, the defending champions registered a formidable total of 269 all out in 79.3 overs, courtesy of half-centuries from Usman Salahuddin and captain Shamyl Hussain.

Salahuddin top-scored with an anchoring 54 off 143 deliveries, while Hussain made a blazing 34-ball 51, studded with four sixes and as many fours.

Besides them, top-order batters Waqar Hussain and Mohammad Taha also made notable contributions, scoring 40 and 47, respectively.

For WAPDA, skipper Khalid Usman bagged four wickets, followed by Mohammad Naveed and Mohammad Asghar with two each, while Naqeebullah chipped in with one.

In response, WAPDA could accumulate 29/0 in eight overs before the stumps were drawn at the UBL Sports Complex.

Openers Usman Iqbal and Muhammad Iqbal, unbeaten on 21 and seven, respectively, will resume their response on the second day as they trail PTV by a further 240 runs.

On the opening day of the remaining sixth-round President's Trophy Grade-I match, Khan Research Laboratories (KRL) held the upper hand against Sui Northern Gas Pipelines Limited (SNGPL), courtesy of their spinners.

KRL's spinner trio of Hamza Nazar (3/40), Iftikhar Ahmed (2/53) and Sufiyan Muqeem (1/25) ran through SNGPL's batting unit, which folded for a modest 199 all out in 61.3 overs.

Middle-order batters Muhammad Awais Zafar and Mubasir Khan remained the joint top-scorers with 38 each, while experienced opener Abid Ali (24) made a notable contribution.

In turn, KRL had reached 61/2 in 28 overs, having reduced the deficit to 138 runs, before the stumps were drawn.

Opener Shahzaib Khan, who led their batting charge on the opening day with an unbeaten 29, will resume their response on the subsequent day alongside Imran Rafiq, not out on 10.

For SNGPL, Shehzad Gul and Sajid Khan could claim one wicket apiece on the opening day.