Markhor IT Clinch President’s Trophy Grade-I Title With 51-Run Win Over SBP

LAHORE: Markhor IT (MIT Solutions) won the President’s Trophy Grade-I title after defeating State Bank of Pakistan (SBP) by 51 runs on the final day of the final at Bagh-e-Jinnah on Friday. Khalid Usman produced a decisive four-wicket haul as SBP, chasing 237, resumed at 165/7 and were bowled out for 185 in the first session. SBP needed 72 more runs with three wickets in hand at the start of the final morning, but Markhor IT’s bowlers did not allow a prolonged partnership. Mohammad Abbas was the first to go, scoring six off 30 deliveries with one boundary. Mohammad Ismaeel then dismissed the well-set Mubashir Khan for 32 off 56 balls, including three fours. Khalid Usman completed the victory by removing Kashif Bhatti for two, finishing with 4/38 in 16.5 overs. Ismaeel took two wickets, while Aamer Jamal and Salman Aslam claimed one each. Earlier, Markhor IT resumed their second innings at 273/7 on the third day with Aamer Jamal and Salman Aslam at the crease. They added only 23 runs to the overnight total before being bowled out for 296 in 74.5 overs. Jamal top-scored with a determined 55 off 81 deliveries, including seven boundaries. The all-rounder had also starred with the ball in the first innings, claiming a seven-wicket haul. For SBP, Test pacer Mohammad Abbas was the pick of the bowlers with 5/70 in 18 overs. Sirajuddin claimed three wickets, while Shahid Aziz and Kashif Bhatti took one each. Abbas’s five-wicket haul kept Markhor IT close to 300, but SBP’s batting could not deliver under pressure in the chase. SBP made a steady start as openers Hasan Raza and Abdullah Fazal put together 49 runs. Salman Aslam broke the partnership in the 20th over by dismissing Fazal for 25 off 68 deliveries. Hasan then shared useful partnerships with Faham-ul-Haq and Kamran Ghulam, who contributed 13 and 16 respectively. However, Ghulam’s dismissal by Jamal in the 41st over triggered a collapse as SBP lost five wickets in quick succession, including that of Hasan, to slump to 147/7. Hasan remained SBP’s leading run-scorer with a fighting 73 off 136 balls, hitting eight boundaries. Mubashir Khan then attempted to revive the chase, building an unbeaten 17-run partnership for the eighth wicket with Abbas before the close of play on the third day. But SBP’s resistance ended on the final morning as Markhor IT secured the title with a convincing victory. Khalid Usman’s four-wicket haul, Ismaeel’s two important strikes and Jamal’s all-round contribution proved decisive. For SBP, Hasan’s fighting innings and Abbas’s five-wicket haul were the main positives, but the team fell short in the final passage of the match.