Faisal Akram, Saud Shakeel, Akhlaq, and Kamran Ghulam shine in the round seven of President’s Trophy Grade I 2023-24

The final round of the President’s Trophy Grade I tournament witnessed captivating cricket action across three venues in Karachi, where Pakistan Television (PTV) faced Water and Power Development Authority (WAPDA), Ghani Glass clashed with State Bank of Pakistan (SBP), and Sui Northern Gas Pipelines Limited (SNGPL) took on the Higher Education Commission (HEC).

Day One Highlights:

• PTV vs WAPDA: PTV opted to bat first but struggled early on, with Faisal Akram’s seven-wicket haul limiting them to 146. However, WAPDA fared only slightly better, getting bowled out for 124, courtesy of Faisal Akram’s brilliance again.
• Ghani Glass vs SBP: SBP’s Umar Amin and Usman Salahuddin starred with the bat, guiding their team to 278. Ghani Glass responded well, ending the day at 62-0.
• SNGPL vs HEC: SNGPL posted 279 runs in their first innings, with Saud Shakeel’s century leading the charge. HEC trailed by 22 runs, finishing the day at 93-1.

Day Two Highlights:

• PTV vs WAPDA: PTV set WAPDA a target of 225, but Muhammad Akhlaq’s century propelled WAPDA to a thrilling three-wicket win.
• Ghani Glass vs SBP: Ghani Glass chased down 176 runs to beat SBP by two wickets, courtesy of Saad Nasim and Saaed Ali’s valuable contributions.
• SNGPL vs HEC: SNGPL declared their second innings at 351-6, setting HEC a target of 374. Kamran Ghulam’s century put SNGPL in a strong position.

Day Three Highlights:

• Ghani Glass vs SBP: Ghani Glass bowlers, especially Mohammad Rameez Jnr, secured a close victory by restricting SBP to 179 after setting a target of 176.
• SNGPL vs HEC: HEC ended the day at 91-1, needing 283 runs to win, with Saad Khan and Mohammad Awais Zafar holding the fort.

Key Performances:

• Faisal Akram (PTV): Claimed seven wickets in the first innings against WAPDA.
• Muhammad Akhlaq (WAPDA): Scored a match-winning century in the second innings against PTV.
• Mohammad Rameez Jnr (Ghani Glass): Took ten wickets in the match against SBP.
• Kamran Ghulam (SNGPL): Scored a crucial century against HEC.

Conclusion: The final round provided intense competition, with teams showcasing their talent across batting, bowling, and fielding. WAPDA, Ghani Glass, and SNGPL emerged victorious in their respective matches, displaying their prowess in different aspects of the game. As the tournament progresses, the teams are gearing up for more thrilling encounters, setting the stage for an exciting conclusion to the President’s Trophy Grade I 2023-24 season.