KARACHI: A dramatic slump in Karachi Research Laboratories’ (KRL) run chase led to a 35-run win in the sixth-round President’s Cup Grade-1 match at the KCCA Stadium here on Thursday.
Batting first, Ghani Glass was dismissed for 200 in 40.1 overs, although there was an anchor between Sharjeel Khan and Mohsin Riaz for the second wicket.
Ghani Class made a shocking start to their innings when wicketkeeper batsman Yahya bin Abdul Rahman (11) fell to Ahmed Basheer with just 17 runs on the board.
Following his dismissal, Mohsin joined opener Sharjeel in the middle and the duo anchored the innings with an 85-run partnership that took the side past 100, both dismissed in quick succession.
Sharjeel followed up with a top score of 58 off 48 balls with 4 sixes and several fours, while Mohsin scored 32 off 39 balls.
Their back-to-back dismissals sparked a stunning collapse as the Ghani class lost 7 wickets remaining for 90 despite outstanding contributions from Dayab Tahir (33), Hussain Talat (26) and Hammad Butt (20).
Sufyan Mukeem bowled for KRL with four wickets, Arshad Iqbal and Ahmed two wickets each and Hamza Nasser and captain Iftikhar Ahmed one wicket each.
Chasing a target of 201, KRL got off to a great start with their opening pair Shahzaib Khan and Saad Baig putting on a 107-run partnership.
Shahzaib scored 52 runs off 72 balls and Saad scored 45 runs off 52 balls.
Apart from them, Sarmat Bhatti (18) and Iftikhar (10) could score double figures as they were bowled out for 165 for nine after a century, losing by 35 runs, the third time in the eight-team tournament.
Zafar Gohar was the standout bowler for Ghani Glass, returning sensational figures of 6/21 from his 10 overs. Captain Noman Ali took two wickets while Ubaid Shah and Mohammad Ramiz Jr took one each.
In another sixth-round President’s Cup Grade-I match, Oil and Gas Development Company Limited (OGDCL) registered a three-wicket win over Sahir Associates to claim their sixth straight win in the tournament.
Batting first, Sahir Associates amassed 278/9 in their 50 overs with half-centuries from Asim Ali Naseer and Faham-ul-Haq.
Asim followed up with a top score of 88 off 97 balls, while Faham scored 60 off 78 balls. The two shared a 143-run partnership for the second wicket.
For the OGDCL side, Mohammad Husaifa took four wickets, captain Adil Amin took two wickets and Jawad Ali and Mas Sadaq took one wicket each.
In reply, OGDCL chased down the target of 279 runs with 7 wickets and 27 balls to spare, aided by half-centuries from Abbas Ali, Maas and Danish Aziz.
Abbas led the OGDCL’s batting charge with a brisk 68 off 63 balls, while Danish and Maas chipped in with 55 not out and 50 respectively.
For Sahir Associates, Faham took 2 wickets while Razaullah, Bilawal, Mohammad Afzal, Hafiz Mohammad Suleman and Mohammad Saleem took one each.
Notably, two day-night fifth round matches, Pakistan Television (PTV) and Sui Northern Gas Pipelines Limited (SNGPL), and State Bank of Pakistan (SBP) and Water and Power Development Authority (WAPDA) are currently being held here.
Meanwhile, the seventh and final round of the President Cup Grade-I will be played at four venues here on Saturday.