Centuries Galore as Iftikhar, Bangalzai, Umar Amin Shine in President’s Cup Third Round

Abdul Wahid Bangalzai, Iftikhar Ahmed, Naseerullah Khan, and Umar Amin all recorded centuries, while Faisal Akram and Mohammad Imran Jnr took five-wicket hauls in the third round of the President’s Cup.

Group A:

In Islamabad, Khan Research Laboratories (KRL) secured an eight-wicket victory against Higher Education Commission (HEC), chasing down 223 in 36.3 overs. Naseerullah Khan’s outstanding 108, supported by Maaz Sadaqat’s 64, led the chase after KRL’s Mohammad Imran Jnr demolished HEC’s batting lineup with figures of 6-45, restricting them to 222 all out. Uzair Mumtaz (50) and Waseem Akram Jnr (47) top-scored for HEC.

In the second Group A match, WAPDA defeated State Bank of Pakistan (SBP) by 11 runs using the DLS method in Abbottabad. Iftikhar Ahmed led WAPDA’s charge with a brilliant 154 not out, helping them post a massive 379-4 in 50 overs. SBP captain Umar Amin’s heroic 182* went in vain, as his side fell short of the par score when bad light halted play with them needing 36 more runs off three overs.

Group B:

In Faisalabad, Pakistan Television (PTV) routed Ghani Glass by nine wickets. Faisal Akram’s 5-24 wrecked Ghani Glass, bowling them out for 166. PTV chased down the target comfortably in 25.5 overs, led by unbeaten half-centuries from Imam-ul-Haq (69*) and Sahibzada Farhan (69).

In Lahore, Eshaal Associates triumphed over Oil and Gas Development Corporation Limited (OGDCL) by five wickets. Abdul Wahid Bangalzai’s century (103) and Haider Ali’s blistering 81* helped Eshaal Associates chase down 296 with ease. Earlier, Abbas Ali (86) and Mohammad Hammad Khan (67) lifted OGDCL to 295-8.

Scores in brief:

Group A

• KRL beat HEC by 8 wickets at Diamond Club Ground, Islamabad
  • HEC: 222 all out, 48.3 overs (Uzair Mumtaz 50, Waseem Akram Jnr 47; Mohammad Imran Jnr 6-45)
  • KRL: 223-2, 36.3 overs (Naseerullah Khan 108, Maaz Sadaqat 64)
• WAPDA beat SBP by 11 runs (DLS) at Abbottabad Cricket Stadium
  • WAPDA: 379-4, 50 overs (Iftikhar Ahmed 154*, Hashim Ibraheem 75)
  • SBP: 344-8, 47 overs (Umar Amin 182*; Khushdil Shah 3-68)

Group B

• PTV beat Ghani Glass by 9 wickets at Iqbal Stadium, Faisalabad
  • Ghani Glass: 166 all out, 38.2 overs (Hussain Talat 72, Tayyab Tahir 67; Faisal Akram 5-24)
  • PTV: 169-1, 25.5 overs (Imam-ul-Haq 69*, Sahibzada Farhan 69)
• Eshaal Associates beat OGDCL by 5 wickets at Saeed Sports City Bedian, Lahore
  • OGDCL: 295-8, 50 overs (Abbas Ali 86, Mohammad Hammad Khan 67)
  • Eshaal Associates: 297-5, 47 overs (Abdul Wahid Bangalzai 103, Haider Ali 81*)

The fourth-round fixtures will take place on 9 October.