RAWALPINDI: After claiming a five-wicket haul, Mohammad Shahzad scored an unbeaten 125 on Wednesday evening to help Pakistan Television (PTV) take a vital 112-run first-innings lead against the State Bank of Pakistan (SBP) on the second day of the President’s Trophy Grade-I tournament final here at the Rawalpindi Cricket Stadium.

At stumps, SBP were 37 for one in 11 overs in their second innings, still trailing by 75 runs. Opener Imran Butt (29) and captain Umar Amin 9five) were at the crease. Opener Mohammad Faizan was trapped by Ammad Butt for a duck.

Earlier, resuming their first innings at the overnight score of 49-3, PTV managed to post 317 in 89.2 overs.

Shahzad’s undefeated 152-ball knock included 14 fours and four sixes.

Shahzad and wicketkeeper/batter Waqar Hussain, who struck 106 off 192 balls with the help of 11 fours, added 123 runs for the sixth wicket to help their team take the crucial lead.

For SBP, Kashif Bhatti, Mohammad Abbas and Niaz Khan bagged three wickets apiece.

Scores in brief (day two of five):

SBP 205 in 54.2 overs (Imran Butt 89, Rameez Aziz 40; Mohammad Shahzad 5-29, Ali Usman 2-10) and 37-1 in 11 overs.

PTV 317 in 89.2 overs (Mohammad Shahzad 125 not out, Waqar Hussain 106; Kashif Bhatti 3-53, Mohammad Abbas 3-71, Niaz Khan 3-74).

Published in Dawn, March 7th, 2025