KARACHI: Ahmed Basheer’s 5-wicket haul in the second innings helped Khan Research Laboratories (KRL) to a commanding victory over State Bank of Pakistan (SBB) on the third day of their fourth round President’s Cup Grade-1 match at the SBB Sports Complex on Saturday.
At the end of play on the third day, the home side were reeling at 289/9, with lower-order batsmen Shahid Aziz and Mohammad Ismail not out on 42 and zero respectively leading by just 27 runs.
Earlier, KRL resumed their first innings at 365/8 and could add three more to their overnight score, being bowled out for 368 in 130.3 overs.
Waqar Ahmed scored 138 runs off 244 balls with 17 fours and Sarmat Bhatti scored 101 runs off 267 balls with 10 fours.
Imran Rabiq scored 35 off 82 balls with 5 fours while opener Saad Baig added 29 off 51 balls.
Niaz Khan took 4 wickets for 78 runs in 33.3 overs, Shahid took 3 wickets and Rameez Aziz 2 wickets.
The home side started their second innings trailing by 262 runs, and half-centuries from Mohammed Huraira and Qasim Akram helped cancel it out, but Ahmed’s five-wicket haul left them on the brink of a major defeat.
Qasim scored a blistering 62 off 78 balls while Huraira scored 54 off 69 balls. Captain Hasan Raza scored 49 runs to boost the order.
For KRL, Ahmed led the bowling with five wickets, while Mohammad Hamza and Aqib Liaquat claimed two scalps each.
A combined bowling effort in the second innings helped Oil and Gas Development Company Limited (OGDCL) reduce Sahir Associates to 147/8 on the final day at the KCCA Stadium.
Earlier, Sahir Associates started the first innings at 220/6 all out for 248 runs and took a nine-run lead as OGDCL were all out for 257 runs in 106.2 overs.
Opener Umar Siddiqui top-scored with 79 off 180 balls, followed by Danish Aziz with 69 off 133 balls and Israrullah and Asif Afridi with 30 each.
Revayat Khan was the standout bowler for Sahir Associates with 5 for 59 in 26 overs. Hafeez Mohammad Suleman took 4 wickets to support him.
In reply, Sahir Associated slipped to 147/8 and led by 138 runs at the end of day three.
Middle-order batsman Mohammad Faiq led the way with a cautious 48 off 118 balls, followed by Ahmar Ashfaq’s 43 off 70 balls.
No.8 batsman Suleman, not out on two runs, will resume Sahir Associates’ second innings on the final day.
Asif Afridi, Jawad Ali and Danish Aziz bagged 2 wickets each for OGDCL side while Mohammad Husaifa and captain Adil Amin bagged one wicket each.
The remaining fourth round President Cup Grade-I match between Water and Power Development Authority (WAPDA) and Ghani Glass was tied after three days of action at the UBL Sports Complex.
Chasing 243, WAPDA were 108/5 in 36 overs at the end of the day, needing 135 runs, with Mujtaba Khan not out at the crease.
Opener Malhar Rasool anchored the top score with 47 off 107 balls, while middle-order batsman Ayaz Dasawar contributed with 20 off 44 balls.
Captain Noman Ali led the bowling charge for Ghani Glass with three wickets so far in the second innings, while Khurram Shezad and Sameen Gul picked up one wicket each.
Earlier in the day, Gani Glass resumed his second innings with a lead of 85 runs at 166/2 and was all out for 323 runs.
Their leading man Mohsin Riaz anchored a 167-ball 92 and top scored while opening pair Khawaja Arham and Qashib Ali contributed with 68 and 53 runs respectively.
On the WAPDA side, captain Khalid Usman bowled well and took 4 wickets, Naqeebullah 3 wickets and Mohammad Zeeshan 2 wickets.