Rawalpindi : Ahmed Bashir’s four-wicket haul helped Khan Research Laboratories (KRL) dismiss Pakistan Television (PTV) for 220, while MIT Solutions posted 354 for nine against State Bank of Pakistan (SBP) on the opening day of the sixth round of the President’s Trophy Grade-I on Monday.
At the Shoaib Akhtar Cricket Stadium in Rawalpindi, PTV were bowled out for 220 in 49.4 overs after Sharoon Siraj and Taimur Khan struck half-centuries.
Sharoon top-scored with 64 which came off 106 balls, hitting nine fours while Taimur contributed 62 off 76 balls to help PTV cross the 200-run mark. However, KRL’s bowling attack ensured that the opposition could not build on the contributions from the two batters.
Ahmed Bashir was the pick of the KRL bowlers, returning figures of four for 59. He was well supported by Arshad Iqbal, who bagged three wickets for 43 runs, while Daniyal Ali Khan bagged two wickets for 44 runs.
In turn, KRL reached 59 for two in 18 overs at stumps, trailing PTV by 161 runs with eight wickets in hand.
Shahzaib Khan remained unbeaten on 25, while Iftikhar Ahmed was not out on 15 as the pair ensured KRL finished the opening day without further damage.
Meanwhile, at the Diamond Cricket Ground in Islamabad, MIT Solutions enjoyed a productive opening day with the bat against SBP, reaching 354 for nine in 74 overs.
Abuzar Tariq led the batting chart with a valuable 125-ball 77-run knock, providing the foundation for MIT Solutions’ imposing first-innings total. Khalid Usman also made a useful contribution of 41 as MIT Solutions crossed the 350-run mark.
For SBP, Mohammad Abbas returned figures of three for 51, while Shahid Aziz also grabbed three wickets, conceding 120 runs. Naqeebullah chipped in with two wickets for 43 runs.
Scores in brief:
Round 6 – Day 1 of 4
KRL v PTV at Shoaib Akhtar Cricket Stadium, Rawalpindi
PTV 220 all out, 49.4 overs (Sharoon Siraj 64, Taimur Khan 62; Ahmed Bashir 4-59, Arshad Iqbal 3-43, Daniyal Ali Khan 2-44)
KRL 59-2, 18 overs (Shahzaib Khan 25 not out, Iftikhar Ahmed 15 not out)
MIT Solutions v SBP at Diamond Cricket Ground, Islamabad
MIT Solutions 354-9, 74 overs (Abuzar Tariq 77, Khalid Usman 41; Mohammad Abbas 3-51, Shahid Aziz 3-120, Naqeebullah 2-43)
