KARACHI: Khan Research laboratories (KRL) sealed a thrilling one-wicket victory over Ghani Glass in the dying moments of day three of their second-round match of the President’s Trophy Grade-I tournament here at the State Bank Stadium on Sunday.

Chasing a paltry 123, KRL’s faltered at the start when they slumped to 67-6.

The last four batters, Kashif Ali (30 not out), Shayan Sheikh (9), Sirajuddin (5) and Arshadullah (8 not out) faced a combined total of 100 balls while making vital contributions that proved decisive in the end.

Kashif top-scored while batting at number eight. He spent crucial time in the middle making sure his team reach the victory target while wickets fell regularly at the other end. Ghulam Mudassar and Niaz Khan’s four wicket-hauls went in vain as the Ghani Glass bowling attack failed to seize the last wicket.

Earlier in the day, Ghani Glass started their second innings with a lead of 43 but they were soon bundled out for a paltry 79 in 26.2 overs. Kashif and Sirajuddin picked up four wickets each while Arshadullah claimed two.

PTV vs SNGPL at UBL Sports Complex, Karachi

Meanwhile, Sui Northern Gas Pipelines Limited (SNGPL) outclassed Pakistan Television (PTV) by eight wickets to register their first win of the tournament at the UBL Sports Complex.

After started their second innings from the overnight score of 66-0, PTV openers Hasan Nawaz (69) and Nasir Nawaz (62) extended their partnership to 130.

Leg-spinner Arif Yaqoob, who registered the figures of 10-177 in his maiden first-class appearance, then triggered PTV’s collapse when he got Nasir out. Soon, he dismissed skipper Uzair Mumtaz and Daniyal Hussain Rajput for ducks. Hasan Mohsin (21) and Taimur Khan (7) resisted for a while, before the team were dismissed for 189.

Arif bagged six wickets, Mohammad Ali two while Bilawal Bhatti and Mohammad Awais Anwar took one wicket each.

Chasing an easy 85, SNGPL got over the line in 21 overs with eight wickets in hand. Sahibzada Farhan (51) played a good knock.

The match between the higher Education Commission (HEC) and Wapda at the National Bank Stadium entered a very interesting stage on Sunday when the latter ended the third day at 114-4, requiring another 106 runs for victory.

After losing openers Mohammad Saleem and Hassan Abid Kiyani cheaply with scoreboard reading a disastrous 2-2, Wapda came back in the game with Umar Akmal (61 not out) playing a crucial knock.

The HEC picked two more wickets, those of skipper Iftikhar Ahmed (20) and Mohammad Saad (15).

Ayaz Tasawar (8 not out) will start the proceedings on the final day alongside Umar.

Earlier on Sunday, the HEC posted 283 all out in their second innings after starting the day at 111-2.

Batting at number seven, wicketkeeper Ghazi Ghouri (110) struck a brilliant century to help his team reach a respectable position. He was aided well by Mohammad Mohsin Khan (60). Iftikhar and Irfanullah Shah took three wickets apiece while Naqeeb Masood and Asif Afridi bagged two each.

Summarised Scores:

KRL beat Ghani Glass by one wicket:

GHANI GLASS 363-7 in 80 overs (Saeed Malik 105 not out, Shahbaz Javed 74, Saad Naseem 58; Kashif Ali 3-61, Arshadullah 2-117, Sirajuddin 1-35, Shayan Sheikh 1-93) and 79 in 26.2 overs (Kashif Ali 19, Shahbaz Javed 17; Sirajuddin 4-7, Kashif Ali 4-33, Arshadullah 2-37); KRL 320-8 in 80 overs (Maaz Sadaqat 84 not out, Ali Zaryab 65, Sarmad Bhatti 54; Niaz Khan 4-107, Saeed Malik 2-41) and 123-9 in 35.2 overs (Kashif Ali 30 not out, Abdul Faseeh 15, Rohail Nazir 13; Ghulam Mudassar 4-32, Niaz Khan 4-61)

SNGPL beat PTV by eight wickets:

PTV 317 all out in 79.2 overs (Uzair Mumtaz 108, Hasan Mohsin 59, Ahmed Safi Abdullah 46; Arif Yaqoob 4-97, Mohammad Awais Anwar 3-47) and 189 in 49.1 overs (Hasan Nawaz 69, Nasir Nawaz 62, Mohammad Suleman 21, Jahandad Khan 21; Arif Yaqoob 6-80, Mohammad Ali 2-43); SNGPL 424-7 in 80 overs (Abid Ali 121, Omair Bin Yousuf 120, Haseebullah 76; Adil Naz 3-83) and 85-2 in 21 overs (Sahibzada Farhan 51, Abid Ali 18, Asad Shafiq 9 not out; Faisal Akram 1-19, Ahmed Safi Abdullah 1-34)

HEC vs WAPDA:

HEC 327-7 in 80 overs (Awais Zafar 178 not out, Mohammad Mohsin Khan 43, Jahanzaib Sultan 20; Iftikhar Ahmed 3-88, Irfanullah Shah 2-67) and 283 in 67 overs (Ghazi Ghouri 110, Mohammad Mohsin Khan 60, Awais Zafar 57; Irfanullah Shah 3-39, Iftikhar Ahmed 3-40, Naqeebullah Masood 2-56, Asif Afridi 2-83); WAPDA 391-4 in 80 overs (Iftikhar Ahmed 123, Mohammad Saad 102 not out, Umar Akmal 87; Aqib Liaqat 2-124) and 114-4 in 46 overs (Umar Akmal 61 not out, Iftikhar Ahmed 20, Mohammad Saad 15; Mohammad Junaid 3-44).

Published in Dawn, December 25th, 2023