- Match photographs available here
- Scorecards available here
Karachi, 21 January 2024: The last round of President’s Trophy Grade I kicked off today at three different venues in Karachi. Pakistan Television (PTV), batting for the second time, ended the day leading by 73 runs against Water and Power Development Authority (WAPDA) as both the teams got finished their first innings. PTV’s Faisal Akram bagged a seven-wicket haul. Ghani Glass looked confident against State Bank of Pakistan (SBP) and will be looking to overcome a trail by 216 on day two. Sui Northern Gas Pipelines (SNGPL) banked on Saud Shakeel’s hundred to post a decent total against the Higher Education Commission (HEC).
PTV vs WAPDA at National Bank Stadium, Karachi
PTV’s decision to bat first backfired as they were reduced to 6-4 early on with the opening batters, Waqar Hussain and Hasan Nawaz bagging ducks. Taimur Khan too departed for a two-ball duck while Mohammad Suleman (4, 12b, 1x4) was removed by Ali Shafiq.
Uzair Mumtaz (46, 73b, 8x4s) and Hasan Mohsin (43, 70b, 6x4s) put on a fifth-wicket partnership of 77 runs but Khalid Usman soon brought an end to it. Mohammad Shahzad, who scored his maiden first-class ton in the previous round, lasted only 23 balls scoring 18 with the help of two sixes and one boundary.
Mohammad Ibtisam chipped in with an unbeaten 19 off 21 balls comprising three boundaries. PTV lost their last five wickets for 63 runs as they were bundled out for 146 in 39.4 overs. Asif Afridi bagged his 11th first-class five-wicket haul while Khalid returned with three wickets. Ali struck twice with the new ball.
In reply, WAPDA were bundled out for 124 in 34.1 overs as left-arm wrist spinner Faisal Akram wreaked havoc with the ball. Opening batters, Muhammad Akhlaq (22, 38b, 3x4s) and Hassan Abid Kiyani (15, 27b, 2x4s) put up an opening partnership of 25. The former was run out by Hasan Nawaz while the latter fell to Mohammad Sadaqat.
Ahmed Shehzad (30, 57b, 3x4s) hung around for some time but had to depart after being pinned leg-before to Faisal.
Umar Akmal (11, 15b, 2x4s) and Ayaz Tasawar (16, 32b, 2x4s) were sent packing, courtesy of Faisal as well. Mohammad Saad copped a golden duck. Asif (24, 12b, 4x4s, 1x6) chipped in with a cameo helping his team minimize the deficit.
Faisal bagged seven wickets giving away 47 runs in 11.1 overs. Sadaqat and Mohammad Junaid struck once.
PTV, built on their 22-run first-innings lead by putting on 51-2 in 11 overs by the time stumps were drawn. Muhammad Shahzad (26 not out, 35b, 6x4s) and Mohammad Suleman (20 not out, 21b, 3x4s) will be on the crease for PTV at the start of day two as they lead by 73 runs.
Ghani Glass vs SBP at UBL Sports Complex, Karachi
Ghani Glass won the toss and elected to bowl first. SBP opening batters, Umar Amin (69, 72b, 13x4s) and Usman Salahuddin (50, 106b, 7x4s) struck fine half-centuries to bring up a splendid 119-run opening partnership.
Rameez Aziz (8, 17b, 1x4) was dismissed by Saeed Ali while Salman Ali Agha (22, 40b, 2x4s) too failed to convert his start.
In-form batter Muhammad Irfan Khan (29, 47b, 5x4s) was bowled by Shoaib Akhtar after his hour-long stay on the crease.
Mohammad Mohsin (61, 72b, 9x4s) chipped in with a valuable half-century to help his team cross the 250-run mark. Wicketkeeper batter Ali Shan (20, 46b, 2x4s) returned to the pavilion as SBP lost their last five wickets for 21 runs.
Mohammad Rameez Jnr bagged four wickets while Shoaib and Saeed chipped in with one wicket each. Ghulam Haider dismissed the set batter Mohsin.
Ghani Glass faced 17 overs before the close of day ,putting up 62 runs on the board without any loss of wicket. Muhammad Azeem Ghumman (25, 52b, 4x4s) and Shahbaz Javed (31, 51b, 3x4s, 2x6) did well to see off the tricky period of play. Ghani Glass trail by 216 runs.
SNGPL vs HEC at State Bank Stadium, Karachi
HEC landed two early blows after deciding to bowl first against SNGPL as Abid Ali (2, 26b) and Omair Bin Yousuf (2, 6b) were removed by Waseem Akram early on.
Azhar Ali (36, 100b, 4x4s) and Kamran Ghulam (24, 52b, 4x4s) put on a fourth-wicket partnership of 47 runs.
Saud Shakeel (102, 154b, 11x4s, 1x6), batting at five, struck his 18th first-class hundred to rescue SNGPL after the faltering start in the morning.
Skipper Asad Shafiq had to return early after adding only 10 runs off 11 balls. Mubasir Khan (55, 71b, 7x4s, 1x6) registered a fine half-century to help his team put up a fighting total. Mir Hamza (40, 44b, 4x4s, 1x6) too chipped in with a valuable contribution down the order.
Mohammad Ali and Mohammad Awais Anwar were dismissed for ducks as SNGPL finished their innings with 279 in 77.4 overs. Pacer Waseem picked up four wickets while Abdul Rehman returned with two wickets. Asif Ali Chandio, Umar Lohya and Syed Tayyab Hussain bagged one wicket each.
HEC’s opening batters, Mohammad Huraira (10 not out, 29b, 1x4) and Mohammad Mohsin Khan (14 not out, 25b, 1x4) saw off the nine overs before stumps were drawn. They will look to erase the 255-run trail on day two.
Scores in brief:
PTV vs WAPDA at National Bank Stadium
PTV 146 all out, 39.4 overs (Uzair Mumtaz 46, Hasan Mohsin 43, Mohammad Ibtisam 19 not out; Asif Afridi 5-67, Khalid Usman 3-43, Ali Shafiq 2-11) and 51-2, 11 overs (Muhammad Shahzad 26 not out, Mohammad Suleman 20 not out; Ali Shafiq 1-8, Asif Afridi 1-31)
WAPDA 124 all out, 34.1 overs (Ahmed Shehzad 30, Asif Afridi 24, Muhammad Akhlaq 22; Faisal Akram 7-47, Mohammad Sadaqat 1-29, Mohammad Junaid 1-43)
Ghani Glass vs SBP at UBL Sports Complex
SBP 278 all out, 70.4 overs (Umar Amin 69, Mohammad Mohsin 61, Usman Salahuddin 50; Mohammad Rameez Jnr 4-122, Shoaib Akhtar 3-39, Saeed Ali 1-41, Ghulam Haider 1-44)
Ghani Glass 62-0, 17 overs (Shahbaz Javed 31 not out, Muhammad Azeem Ghumman 25 not out)
SNGPL vs HEC at State Bank Stadium
SNGPL 279 all out, 77.4 overs (Saud Shakeel 102, Mubasir Khan 55, Mir Hamza 40, Azhar Ali 36; Waseem Akram 4-50, Abdul Rehman 2-65, Umar Lohya 1-23, Syed Tayyab Hussain 1-42, Asif Ali Chandio 1-66)
HEC 24-0, 9 overs (Mohammad Mohsin Khan 14 not out, Mohammad Huraira 10 not out)
