Karachi, 17 December 2023: Another exciting day of red-ball cricket unfolded in the President’s Trophy at the three venues. SNGPL, SBP and WAPDA found themselves in the driving seat towards the close of play on the second day of the first round. Half-centuries from exciting batters Mohammad Irfan Khan, Tayyab Tahir, Hasan Nawaz and Ali Zaryab were the highlights of the day. Mehran Mumtaz also made his presence felt with a crucial three-wicket haul.
SNGPL vs Ghani Glass at National Bank Stadium, Karachi
Sui Northern Gas Pipelines (SNGPL), who posted 371-7 in their first innings, lead by 137 at the end of the second day’s play as Ghani Glass only managed 253 in their first innings. Abid Ali (4 not out, 16b) and Sahibzada Farhan (15, 20b, 2x4s) will be on the crease for SNGPL at the start of day three with a total of 19 runs on board in the second innings.
Earlier in the day, Ghani Glass lost two early wickets before Shahbaz Javed (74, 125b, 10x4s) and Tayyab Tahir (75, 126b, 6x4s, 1x6) brought stability to their innings with valuable half-centuries, stitching third wicket partnership of 121 runs. Left-arm spinner Mehran Mumtaz removed Tayyab and Shahbaz to bring SNGPL back in the game, having earlier dismissed Kashif Ali (21, 35b, 4x4s) as well.
Ghani Glass lost their last seven scalps for a mere 69 runs. Pacers Mohammad Ali, Shahnawaz Dahani, and Bilawal Bhatti picked two wickets apiece while Mehran Mumtaz returned with a three-wicket haul. Asad Shafiq also picked up a solitary wicket.
PTV vs State Bank of Pakistan at SBP Sports Complex, Karachi
State Bank of Pakistan (SBP) ended up with a mammoth lead of 292 after their first innings on day two. At the start of the second day’s play, SBP added 157 runs to their overnight total of 201-1 for the loss of six wickets in the allotted 80 overs. Along with Zain Abbas’ ton (126, 177b, 16x4s, 3x6s), Umar Amin (70, 126b, 7x4s) and Mohammad Irfan Khan’s (82 not out, 81b, 7x4s, 2x6s) vital half-centuries ensured a big first innings total for SBP. PTV’s Mohammad Sadaqat bagged three wickets while Jahandad Khan and Adil Naz returned with two and one wicket respectively.
Pakistan Television (PTV) started their second innings with a fine opening partnership of 56 runs before Kashif Bhatti dismissed skipper Uzair Mumtaz (23, 48b, 5x4s). The other opening batter Hasan Nawaz continued with his belligerent batting as he raced to 83 from 76 balls laced with seven boundaries and four sixes, taking PTV to 168-5 by close of play.
SBP bowlers managed a grip on the game with Hassan’s departure and bagged three quick wickets afterwards. Mohammad Abbas picked up three wickets including the valuable scalp of PTV’s top scorer Hasan while Mohammad Ilyas and Kashif Bhatti chipped in with one wicket each. PTV will start day three trailing by 124 runs with five wickets in hand and Taimur Khan (10 not out, 20b, 1x4, 1x6) and Hasan Mohsin (28 not out, 36b, 4x4s, 1x6) on the crease.
KRL vs WAPDA at UBL Sports Complex, Karachi
At the close of play on day two, Water and Power Development Authority (WAPDA) led by 88 in their second innings. Khan Research Laboratories (KRL) began the second day’s proceedings with their overnight score of 23-0 as the opening partnership between Abdul Faseeh (38, 47b, 7x4) and Imran Dogar (20, 61b, 3x4s) stretched to 62 runs. Half-centuries by Ali Zaryab (71, 107b, 7x4s, 1x6) and Maaz Sadaqat (52 not out, 121b, 2x4s, 1x6) meant that KRL finished with 274-8 in their allotted 80 overs. Asif Afridi picked up four wickets while Naqeeb Masood struck thrice. Tahir Hussain had a solitary wicket to his name as well.
WAPDA lost two wickets at the score of naught at the start of their second innings as Mohammad Imran removed Hassan Abid Kiyani and Mohammad Saad for ducks. Umar Akmal (32 not out, 45b, 6x4s) and first innings’ centurion Mohammad Saleem (7 not out, 42b) saw off the last critical hour of the day for WAPDA as the lead swelled to 88, with the scorecard reading 40-2 in 16 overs.
Scores in brief:
SNGPL won the toss and elected to bat first against Ghani Glass at National Bank Stadium, Karachi
SNGPL 371-7, 80 overs (Abid Ali 90, Asad Shafiq 81, Sahibzada Farhan 67, Omair Bin Yousuf 56; Mohammad Rameez Jnr 6-130, Ahad Malik 1-52) and 19-0, 6 overs (Sahibzada Farhan 15 not out, Abid Ali 4 not out)
Ghani Glass 253 all out, 75.2 overs (Tayyab Tahir 75, Shahbaz Javed 74, Mohammad Rameez Jnr 24; Mehran Mumtaz 3-88, Shahnawaz Dahani 2-23, Bilawal Bhatti 2-47, Mohammad Ali 2-60)
PTV won the toss and elected to bat first against SBP at SBP Sports Complex, Karachi
PTV 66 all out, 26.2 overs (Uzair Mumtaz 21, Hamayun Altaf 11; Mohammad Abbas 6-19, Sameen Gul 3-18, Mohammad Ilyas 1-27) and 168-5, 42 overs (Hasan Nawaz 83, Hasan Mohsin 28 not out; Mohammad Abbas 3-41, Mohammad Ilyas 1-34, Kashif Bhatti 1-44)
SBP 358-7, 80 overs (Zain Abbas 126, Mohammad Irfan Khan 82 not out, Umar Amin 70; Mohammad Sadaqat 3-85, Jahandad Khan 2-93, Adil Naz 1-92)
KRL won the toss and elected to bowl first against WAPDA at UBL Sports Complex, Karachi
WAPDA 322-6, 80 overs (Iftikhar Ahmed 155, Mohammad Saleem 117; Mohammad Imran 3-75, Kashif Ali 1-45, Mohammad Amir Khan 1-61, Shayan Sheikh 1-78) and 40-2, 16 overs (Umar Akmal 32 not out, Mohammad Saleem 7 not out) KRL 274-8, 80 overs (Ali Zaryab 71, Maaz Sadaqat 52 not out; Asif Afridi 4-81, Naqeeb Masood 3-62, Tahir Hussain 1-45)
