MM News

The third round of President’s Trophy 2023-24 kicked off at three venues in Karachi. Shahnawaz Dahani registered his best bowling figures in first-class cricket and also made headlines with a brilliant hat-trick on his way to a six-wicket haul. Abdul Faseeh and Saad Nasim also struck centuries to take their respective teams to dominant positions.

Ghani Glass vs PTV at National Bank Stadium, Karachi

Ghani Glass found themselves in the driving seat on day one as they posted 319 for the loss of nine wickets in the allotted 80 overs. In reply, Pakistan Television (PTV) lost two wickets in just 1.5 overs without a single run on the board. Shoaib Akhtar removed Hasan Nawaz and Mohammad Junaid for ducks before stumps were drawn.

PTV opted to bowl first and reduced Ghani Glass to 48-4 in the first session. Later in the day, the tide turned in favour of Ghani Glass as Saad Nasim (150, 198b, 21x4s, 1×6) took the team out of the trouble on the way to his 10th first-class hundred. Skipper Hussain Talat (49, 66b, 7x4s, 1×6) and Shahbaz Javed (45, 78b, 6x4s) contributed with vital runs as well. Mohammad Rameez Jnr (15 not out, 24b, 2x4s) helped Ghani Glass cross the 300-run mark.

Mohammad Sadaqat picked up three wickets while Adil Naz struck with the new ball to bag two wickets. Hasan Mohsin, Uzair Mumtaz, Israr Hussain and Mohammad Junaid dismissed a batter each.

KRL vs HEC at UBL Sports Complex, Karachi

Khan Research Laboratories (KRL) notched the second-highest total of the tournament as they raced to 411 for the loss of seven wickets in 80 overs. 20-year-old Abdul Faseeh (153, 171b, 15x4s, 6x6s) scored his fourth first-class hundred and set the tone of the KRL innings.

Sharoon Siraj (64, 74b, 4x4s, 3x6s) and Waqar Ahmed (60, 79b, 12x4s, 1×6) chipped in with valuable half-centuries. Maaz Sadaqat (46, 45b, 3x4s, 1×6) helped KRL breach the 400-run mark. Mohammad Azab bagged three wickets while Waseem Akram, Aarish Ali Khan and Mohammad Junaid picked up one apiece.

Higher Education commission (HEC) closed the day with 41-1 as Arshadullah dismissed Jahanzaib Sultan (4, 5b, 1×4) early on. Saad Khan (21 not out, 25b, 3x4s) and Mohammad Huraira (14 not out, 19b, 2x4s) saw off the day as HEC trailed by 370 runs.

SNGPL vs SBP at State Bank Stadium, Karachi

State Bank of Pakistan (SBP) bowlers, Mohammad Ilyas and Sameen Gul, struck regular blows with the new ball to leave Sui Northern Gas Pipelines 48-4 after being dismissed for 170 earlier in the day.

Initially, SNGPL’s decision to bowl first paid dividends as they bundled out SBP for a modest total in 59.1 overs. Shahnawaz Dahani took a career-best haul of 6-40 in a fiery spell that included a hat-trick as well. Umar Amin (48, 97b, 4x4s) top-scored while Zain Abbas (36, 84b, 4x4s) and Muhammad Irfan Khan (32, 66b, 4x4s) departed after showcasing some resistance. Dahani’s hat-trick broke the back of SBP’s innings as he reduced them to 133-7. Mohammad Awais Anwar struck twice while Bilawal Bhatti and Mohammad Ali picked a wicket each.

Asad Shafiq (4 not out, 24b, 1×4) and Bilawal (2 not out, 10b) will be on the crease for SNGPL at the start of day two.