Saqib’s five-wicket haul sets up victory as centuries highlight opening-day action in some matches
Khan Research Laboratories (KRL) chased down a target of 224 to beat Pakistan Television (PTV) by six wickets on Wednesday, while MIT Solutions strengthened their position against State Bank of Pakistan (SBP) on the third day of the sixth round of the President’s Trophy Grade-I.
At the Shoaib Akhtar Cricket Stadium, KRL completed their comeback after conceding a first-innings lead of 91 runs, with Iftikhar Ahmed and Imran Rafiq guiding the chase with unbeaten half-centuries.
Resuming their second innings at 44-2 with an overall lead of 135, PTV were dismissed for 132 in 38.1 overs. Saqib Khan led KRL’s bowling attack with five wickets for 37 runs, while Abbas Ali top-scored for PTV with 38.
KRL reached 227-4 in 41.4 overs to secure victory. Iftikhar struck an unbeaten 76 off 82 balls, while Imran remained not out on 50. Asim Ali Nasir also played a key role, scoring 47.
Earlier, PTV had posted 220 in their first innings before bowling KRL out for 129. Israr Hussain took five wickets for 56 runs for PTV, while Kashif Ali and Khalil Ahmed claimed three and two wickets respectively.
At the Diamond Cricket Ground in Islamabad, SBP fought back to score 344 all out in reply to MIT Solutions’ first-innings total of 376, leaving the latter with a 32-run advantage.
Rameez Aziz top-scored for SBP with 84 off 137 balls, including 11 fours and a six. Abdullah Fazal added 58, while Ali Shan remained unbeaten on 59 and Sardar Hassan Raza Khan contributed 51.
Khalid Usman claimed five wickets for 70 runs to lead MIT Solutions’ bowling effort, completing his haul after taking three wickets on the second day.
MIT Solutions reached 98-3 in 29 overs in their second innings at stumps, extending their overall lead to 130 runs. Hasnain Nadeem was unbeaten on 33, while Atiq-ur-Rehman had made 30 not out.
Elsewhere, the opening day of two other four-day fixtures produced centuries from Hashim Ibrahim and Ali Zaryab.
At the Rana Naveed Cricket Academy in Sheikhupura, Hashim struck an unbeaten 132 to guide Ghani to 273-4 in 77 overs against Kingsmen Academy.
The opener faced 216 balls and hit 19 fours and a six. Malik Abdul Rafay supported him with 50 off 100 deliveries, while Mohsin Riaz scored 46. Mohammad Ilyas was Kingsmen Academy’s most successful bowler, taking two wickets for 55 runs.
At the LCCA Ground in Lahore, Ali Zaryab scored 120 off 203 balls as OGDCL reached 239-5 in 70.3 overs against SNGPL.
Ali struck 12 fours, while Mohammad Sarwar Afridi remained unbeaten on 48. Abdul Subhan and Shahnawaz Dahani took two wickets each for SNGPL.