KARACHI: Khan Research Laboratories (KRL) tightened their grip on the tournament after a dramatic second day marked by dominant bowling as Sahir Associates battled to 42-4 in the second innings of the fifth game of the President Cup Grade-I 2025-26 at the National Bank Stadium here on Sunday.
KRL remained in control after setting a challenging target of 228 runs after brilliant performances from Arshad Iqbal and Mohammad Hamza.
Batting first, KRL were bowled out for 204 in 54.2 overs thanks to some decent bowling from Sahir Associates.
Wicketkeeper-batsman Saath Baig anchored the innings with a 64 off 83 balls with 11 fours.
Hamza Nasser provided valuable support to the line-up with a 54-ball 46 including 7 fours and a six. Imran Rabiq and Sarmat Bhatti were dismissed with 21 runs each.
In bowling, Mohammad Hasnain, Bilawal and Mohammad Mohsin Khan took two wickets each for Sahir Associates. Khan Saif, Attaullah Khan and Mohammad Afzal took one wicket each.
In reply, Asim Ali Naseer-led Sahir Associates were bowled out for 123 runs in 34.3 overs.
Arshad Iqbal finished with figures of 5/24 from 14 overs. Ahmed Basheer took 3 wickets and Mohammad Hamza 2 wickets.
Tail-ender Mohammad Afzal top-scored for Sahir Associates with 25 off 22 balls with 2 fours and 2 sixes. Mohammed Faik added 24 runs off one ball but the rest of the batting unit failed to provide resistance.
After an 81-run first innings lead, KRL were bowled out for 146 in 31.4 overs in their second innings, with Sahir Associates set a target of 228 runs.
Imran Rabiq scored 31 runs off 41 balls including 6 fours. The opener scored 30 off one ball, while Ahmed Hasan and Hamza Nasser added 25 and 22 respectively.
At the end of play on the second day, Sahir Associates were reeling at 42-4 in 16 overs. Mohammad Faiq remained unbeaten on 21 off 35 balls while captain Asim Ali Naseer was at the other end with 7 off 28 balls.
Mohammad Hamza and Arshad Iqbal picked up two wickets each to topple Sahir Associates’ top order early on.
Openers Faham-ul-Haq and Fahad Usman were dismissed for one and 4 runs respectively, while Mohammad Mohsin Khan and Mohammad Basit managed only two and six runs.
At the UBL Sports Complex, Oil and Gas Development Company Limited (OGDCL) cemented their dominance against defending champions Pakistan Television (PTV) with a commanding batting display on day two thanks to Haroon Arshad’s magnificent century.
Resuming their innings at 73-1 in 21 overs, OGDCL scored 302 runs in 90.2 overs.
Haroon Arshad scored 104 runs off 210 balls with 14 fours to anchor the innings. Top-order batsmen Umar Siddiqui and Israrullah made valuable contributions by registering half-centuries.
Siddiqui scored a patient 56 off 127 balls while Israrullah scored 53.
For PTV, Israr Hussain finished with figures of 7/95 in 27.2 overs, leading the bowling with an impressive seven wicket haul. Amat Bhatt, Musa Khan and Arafat Minhas took one wicket each.
In reply, PTV reached 22 for no loss at the end of the second day’s play, still trailing by 81 runs. Openers Shamil Hussain are unbeaten on 21 and Waqar Hussain is unbeaten on Day 3.
Earlier in the match, OGDCL’s combined bowling effort put them in a strong position after dismissing PTV for 199 runs in 57.1 overs on the opening day.
Mohammad Taha top scored for PTV with 63 off 116 balls with 9 fours and a six. All-rounder Arafat Minhas scored 33 off 35 balls.
Muhammad Umar led the bowling of OGDCL with four wickets while Muhammad Imran grabbed three wickets.
State Bank of Pakistan (SBP) tightened their grip on the second-round President’s Cup Grade-I clash against Ghani Glass after a dominant all-round display on day two at the NBP Sports Complex, taking a 166-run lead with seven wickets in hand.
Resuming his first innings at 31-4 in 20 overs, Gani Glass was bowled out for 174 in 57.2 overs.
Top-order batsman Dayab Tahir top-scored with a patient 60 off 142 balls with 8 fours.
Mohammad Rameez Jr and Saad Naseem contributed 39 and 38 runs respectively, but the rest of the batting line-up failed to contribute meaningfully.
SBB, Mohammad Abbas hit a six in 22 overs, conceding 27 runs. Kasip Bhatti took 2 wickets and Kasip Ali and Mohammad Ismail took one each.
Trailing by 28 runs, SBP started their second innings positively and reached 194-3 in 44 overs at the close of play on day two.
Mohammad Ghazi Ghori was a fluent unbeaten 113 off 104 balls, while Rameez Aziz provided solid support with an unbeaten 47 off 102 balls.
Earlier, batting first, SBB were bowled out for 202 in 58 overs. Abdullah Fazal top scored with 113 off 176 balls including 15 fours. Qasim Akram scored 21 runs.
Afaq Afridi bowled well and took 4 wickets and Ubaid Shah took 3 wickets on behalf of Ghani class. Test pacer Mir Hamza picked up two wickets and Dayab Tahir had one to his name.
In another thrilling second round at the SBP Sports Complex, Water and Power Development Authority (WAPDA) won against Sui Northern Gas Pipelines Limited (SNGPL) after posting a first innings total and putting the opposition under pressure in their second innings.
Resuming their innings at 63-1 in 16 overs, WAPDA were eventually bowled out for 276 in 71.4 overs thanks to Khalid Usman’s brilliant 96 off 88 balls including 11 fours and 5 sixes.
Ayaz Dasawar and Bismilla Khan added 37 runs each, while opener Imran Dogar added 36 runs to raise the total.
For the SNGPL team, Mohammad Salman and Bilawal Patti took three wickets each while Shahnawaz Dahani and Athar Mehmood took two wickets each.
Chasing a deficit of 129 runs, SNGPL were 33-1 in 17 overs at the end of the second day. Azan Awais and captain Shaun Masood were at the crease with 19 and 6 respectively, determined to keep their side in the match.
Earlier, SNGPL, who were sent to bat first, could only manage 147 runs in 60.3 overs. Middle order batsman Umair bin Yousuf top scored with 45 off 130 balls and Saad Khan with 21.
Aqib led WAPDA’s bowling attack with five wickets while Naqeebullah and Mohammad Adil grabbed two wickets each.