- Urdu round-up is attached here
Rawalpindi, 24 April 2024: The President’s Cup 50-over tournament commenced with a thrilling tied match between Water and Power Development Authority (WAPDA) and Khan Research Laboratories (KRL) at the Shoaib Akhtar Cricket Stadium in Rawalpindi on Wednesday.
Batting first, WAPDA posted 258 for six in their allotted 50 overs. In turn, KRL needed two runs off the final delivery for victory, but managed only one run to finish at 258 for eight. As there was no Super Over, points were equally shared between the two sides.
The other match at the Abbottabad Cricket Stadium was rained off without a ball being bowled.
At the Shoaib Akhtar Cricket Stadium, Bismillah Khan top-scored for WAPDA with 86 (83, 10x4, 1x6), while Khalid Usman contributed 41 not out, Awais Khan 28, and Muhammad Akhlaq 27. KRL’s Kashif Ali took two wickets for 42 runs for KRL.
When KRL batted, Sharoon Siraj and Waqar Ahmed hit half-centuries. Sharoon’s 61-ball 71 included eight fours and two sixes, while Waqar hit five fours in an 82-ball 52. Rohail Nazir (42), Aamer Azmat (28), and Maaz Sadaqat (22) were the other notable run-scorers.
For WAPDA, Akif Javed and Ali Raza took three wickets apiece, conceding 51 and 56 runs, respectively.
At the Rawalpindi Cricket Stadium, Ghani Glass overcame Sui Northern Gas Pipelines Limited by five wickets on the back of an unbeaten 122 off 94 by Hussain Talat.
Earlier, a century of 103 off 91 by Kamran Ghulam and a brisk 81 off 86 by opener Abdullah Shafique had allowed SNGPL to put up 306 for eight wickets. Shahzaib Khan had also delivered a commendable performance 41 (43) while captain Saud Shakeel left the pitch without making a single run.
Shoaib Akhtar (two for 49), Hussain Talat (two for 53) and Mohammad Rameez Jnr (two for 67) shared wickets.
Hussain’s all-rounding talent was also on display in the second innings as he led his side with an unwavering 122 off 94 not out (14x4s, 2x6s). Sharjeel Khan scored 53 off 32 while Saeed Ali with 38 (46) and Shahzaib Khan with 33 (40) were significant contributors to Ghani Glass’ final score of 307 for five in 47.1 overs.
Scores in brief:
WAPDA vs KRL match tied at Shoaib Akhtar Cricket Stadium, Rawalpindi
WAPDA 258-6, 50 overs (Bismillah Khan 86, Khalid Usman 41 not out, Awais Khan 28, Muhammad Akhlaq 27, Ahmed Shehzad 25; Kashif Ali 2-42)
KRL 258-8, 50 overs (Sharoon Siraj 71, Waqar Ahmed 52, Rohail Nazir 42, Aamer Azmat 28, Maaz Sadaqat 22; Akif Javed 3-51, Ali Raza 3-56)
PTV vs SBP match at the Abbottabad Cricket Stadium abandoned without a ball being bowled
Ghani Glass beat SNGPL by five wickets at Rawalpindi Cricket Stadium, Rawalpindi
SNGPL 306-8, 50 overs (Kamran Ghulam 103, Abdullah Shafiq 81, Shahzaib Khan 41; Shoaib Akhtar 2-49, Hussain Talat 2-53, Mohammad Rameez Jnr 2-67)
Ghani Glass 307-5, 47.1 overs (Hussain Talat 122 not out, Sharjeel Khan 53, Saeed Ali 38, Shahbaz Javed 33 not out; Mohammad Ali 2-52, Mohammad Wasim Jnr 1-44)
Fixtures for Friday: WAPDA vs Ghani Glass, Shoaib Akhtar Stadium; KRL vs PTV, Abbottabad Cricket Stadium; SBP vs HEC, Rawalpindi Cricket Stadium
