KARACHI: Shahzaib Khan’s half-century helped Khan Research Laboratories (KRL) clinch the Presidents Cup Grade-I title in the final at the National Bank Stadium on Thursday, defeating Pakistan Television (PTV).
PTV captain Shamil Hussain opted to bat first as his team’s batting unit could muster 164 runs before being bowled out in 40.2 overs.
The team got off to a poor start to their innings as they lost opener Yasir Khan with just 12 runs in the second over.
Following the early setback, Hussain was joined by Mohammad Mohsin (22) in the middle and the duo anchored PTV’s innings with a 58-run partnership for the second wicket, which saw Ahmed Hasan dismissed in the 12th over.
Hussain then shared brief partnerships with Mohammad Suleman and Mohammad Taha, eventually succumbing to Ahmed in the 18th over, and went on to top score 50 off 44 balls with 6 fours and 2 sixes.
His dismissal triggered a match-defining collapse as PTV lost seven remaining wickets for 74 runs.
Ahmed and Sufyan Mukeem combined to lead KRL’s bowling with three wickets each, Ahmed Basheer with two wickets and Iftikhar Ahmed and Hamza Nasser with one wicket each.
Chasing a simple target of 165 to win, Shahzaib’s half-century saw KRL easily clinch the win with 6 wickets and 92 balls to spare.
The opener smashed 53 off 83 balls with 4 fours and a six and oversaw their pursuit till the 30th over.
During his stay in the middle, Shahzaib was supported by fellow opener Saad Baig and captain Iftikhar Ahmed, who scored 23 and 25 runs respectively.
Meanwhile, following his dismissal, Muhammad Amir Barqi and Hamza Nasser batted sensibly under pressure and graced KRL with an unbeaten 31-run partnership.
Faisal Akram gave away 51 runs in his 10 overs and took 3 wickets in the BTV final, while Ali Usman took two wickets and Israr Hussain scalped one.