KARACHI: Sui Northern Gas Pipelines Limited (SNGPL), State Bank of Pakistan (SBB) and Khan Research Laboratories (KRL) won the fifth round of the Presidents Trophy Grade-1 on Saturday.
Mohammad Hamza’s second-innings haul of seven wickets helped KRL beat defending champions Pakistan Television (PTV) by nine wickets on the final day at the UBL Sports Complex.
Earlier in the day, the holders started their second innings at 27/3 to take a slender seven-run lead and added another 67 runs to their overnight score, resulting in 94 all out in 27.1 overs.
Emerging all-rounder Arafat Minhas remained the top scorer with 32 off 40 balls, while middle-order batsman Mohammad Mohsin (14) and skipper Shamil Hussain (17) scored double figures.
Hamza bowled well for KRL with 7 wickets for 39 runs in his 14 overs while Arshad Iqbal took 3 wickets.
With a simple target of 75 runs to win, the KRL team reached the winning target in 17.1 overs losing just one wicket.
Emerging wicketkeeper batsman Saad Baig scored an unbeaten 40 off 52 balls with 3 fours and 2 sixes. His opening partner Shazaib Khan and top-order batsman Waqar Ahmed were dismissed with 27 and 10 respectively.
Mohsin took the lone KRL wicket in the second innings by dismissing Shahzaib.
Despite opener Mohammad Arham’s valiant century on the final day, a combined bowling effort in the second innings helped SNGPL beat Ghani Glass by 10 wickets at the National Bank Stadium here.
After being forced to follow-on, Ghani Glass resumed his second innings from 125/1 and, trailing by 126 runs, put up 289 to neutralize the deficit and avoid an innings defeat.
Arham took charge of the batting from Ghani Glass in the second innings with a bold knock and scored 141 off 160 balls with 16 fours and 3 sixes.
He was supported by fellow top-order batsman Hammad Butt, who scored 77 runs off 156 balls. Both added 196 runs for the 2nd wicket.
Apart from them, none of Ghani Glass’ batsmen could fight against the SNGPL bowlers, allowing the side to set a target of 39 runs.
Captain Sajid Khan and Mohammad Ali took 3 wickets each and Shahnawaz Dahani and Shehzad Gul took 2 wickets each for SNGPL team.
With openers Abid Ali and Azan Awais unbeaten on 15 and 19 respectively, SNGPL easily chased down the target of 39 runs without losing a wicket in 8.5 overs.
Test fast bowler Mohammad Abbas’ second-innings haul of five wickets helped SBP to a 9-wicket victory over Sahir Associates on the final day of their fifth-round President’s Cup Grade-1 match at the SBP Sports Complex.
Earlier, Sahir Associates resumed their second innings at 44/3, trailing by 16 runs, but could add another 78 runs to their overnight score and were bowled out for 122 in 41.5 overs.
No.8 batsman Razaullah bravely top-scored with 29, while middle-order batsmen Mohammad Faiq (25) and Mohammad Mohsin Khan (20) made significant contributions.
Abbas returned an economical bowling figure of 5/38 from his 21 overs, with Niaz Khan and Kaship Bhatti claiming two scalps each.
Chasing a modest target of 63, SBP easily amassed the total for the loss of just one wicket in 13.5 overs – skipper Hasan Raza’s 12 off 14 balls falling to Bilawal.
Emerging top-order batsman Mohammad Huraira scored an unbeaten 25 off 28 balls while opener Abdullah Fazal scored an unbeaten 24.
The remaining fifth round of the President Cup Grade-1 match between Water and Power Development Authority (WAPDA) and OGDCL Oil and Gas Development Corporation (OGDCL) ended in a draw at the KCCA Stadium here.
A target of 200 was set for WAPDA but they managed to amass 88/3 in 24 overs before stumps were drawn.
The sixth round of the President’s Cup Grade-I for non-qualifiers will be held at four venues here from January 27 to 30.