LAHORE: An all-round performance by Mohammad Faizan led State Bank of Pakistan (SBP) to a nine-wicket win over Higher Education Commission (HEC) in the opening round match of the President’s Cup on Thursday.

In the other Group ‘A’ match, Wapda, on the back of an unbeaten century from Mohammad Arif defeated Khan Research Laboratories (KRL) by eight wickets.

In Group ‘B’ matches, Ghani Glass defeated Sui Northern Gas Pipelines Limited (SNGPL) by 19 runs while Pakistan Television (PTV) overcame Oil and Gas Development Company Limited (OGDCL) by 31 runs — both results being decided through the DLS method.

At the Diamond Club Ground in Islamabad, after being put into bat, HEC were bowled out for 111 in 38 overs. HEC’s captain Aaliyan Mahmood top-scored for his side with 24 off 49 balls, which included one four.

SBP’s Faizan ended up with match figures of 5-24, while Saqib Khan grabbed three wickets and Kashif Bhatti took two wickets.

In turn, Faizan shined with the bat, returning undefeated on 84 off 43 balls, which included 11 fours and four sixes to take his side home in the 12th over with nine wickets in hand.

In the second match of the group, Wapda, after being put into bat, KRL were all out for 238 in 50 overs, with opening batter Maaz Sadaqat top-scoring for the side with a 92-ball 74, hitting seven fours and three sixes.

For Wapda, Ali Raza and Mohammad Zeeshan grabbed three wickets apiece, while Naqeebullah bagged two scalps.

In reply, Arif struck an unbeaten 100 off 115 balls, which included nine fours and three sixes to help his side achieve the target in 38.5 overs for the loss of two wickets. Captain Iftikhar Ahmed returned unbeaten on 56 off 44 balls, including six fours and two sixes.

At the Saeed Sports City Bedian in Lahore, Ghani Glass defeated SNGPL after bad light ended the game with Ghani Glass scoring 273-3 in 45 overs.

Chasing 307 to win, Tayyab Tahir scored an unbeaten 128 off 138 balls, which included 12 fours and three sixes and knitted a 180-run partnership for the third wicket with Hussain Talat (79 off 89, five fours and two sixes). Saad Nasim, coming to bat at number five, scored an unbeaten 29-ball 36, laced with four fours and a six.

Earlier, after being asked to bat first, SNGPL scored 306-8 in their allotted 50 overs. Opening batter Haseebullah scored 128 off 130 balls, smashing 11 fours and four sixes. Omair Bin Yousuf was the other notable run-getter, scoring 82 off 70 balls, hitting 10 fours and a six.

For Ghani Glass, Ubaid Shah bagged four wickets for 48 runs in 10 overs, while captain Shadab Khan took two wickets.

In the other Group ‘B’ fixture, PTV beat OGDCL at the Iqbal Stadium in Faisalabad. Opting to bat first, PTV, on the back of Amad Butt’s 105, scored 320-8 in 50 overs.

Amad’s innings included eight fours and five sixes, while Faheem Ashraf scored 88 off 81 balls, hitting eight fours and four sixes. For OGDCL, Mohammad Umar picked three wickets, while Asif Afridi grabbed two wickets.

In turn, OGDCL were 250-7 in 45 overs when bad light stopped play and the match did not resume further. For the losing team, Abbas Ali (72 off 80, three fours and as many sixes) and captain Adil Amin (62 off 73, four fours and a six) scored half-centuries. For the winning side, Faisal Akram, Faheem and Israr Hussain grabbed two wickets apiece.

The second round matches of the President’s Cup will take place on Saturday, 5 October.

Published in Dawn, October 4th, 2024