President’s Cup: Mohammad Faizan Stars as SBP Defeat HEC by Nine Wickets in Opening Round

In the opening round of the President’s Cup (One-Day Tournament), an outstanding all-round performance by Mohammad Faizan powered State Bank of Pakistan (SBP) to a comprehensive nine-wicket victory over Higher Education Commission (HEC). Elsewhere, in Group A, Water and Power Development Authority (WAPDA) defeated Khan Research Laboratories (KRL) by eight wickets, while Ghani Glass and Pakistan Television (PTV) secured wins in their Group B matches against SNGPL and OGDCL, respectively.

Group A:

SBP vs HEC:
At the Diamond Club Ground in Islamabad, HEC, after opting to bat first, struggled to find momentum and were bowled out for 111 in 38 overs. HEC’s captain Aaliyan Mahmood was the top scorer with a modest 24 off 49 balls, hitting one boundary. SBP’s bowling attack, led by Mohammad Faizan (5-24) and Saqib Khan (3-21), dominated the innings, leaving HEC unable to set a challenging target.

In reply, SBP comfortably chased down the total in 11.5 overs, losing just one wicket. Faizan’s fine form continued with the bat as he smashed an unbeaten 84 off 43 balls, including 11 fours and four sixes, to take SBP to a commanding nine-wicket win.

WAPDA vs KRL:
At the Abbottabad Cricket Stadium, KRL, batting first, posted 238 all out in their 50 overs. Maaz Sadaqat top-scored for his team with a well-made 74 off 92 balls, while Mohammad Zeeshan and Ali Raza were the pick of the WAPDA bowlers, claiming three wickets each.

In response, Mohammad Arif starred with an unbeaten century, scoring 100 off 115 balls to lead WAPDA to a comfortable eight-wicket victory. Captain Iftikhar Ahmed contributed an unbeaten 56 off 44 balls as WAPDA chased down the target in 38.5 overs.

Group B:

Ghani Glass vs SNGPL:
At the Saeed Sports City Bedian in Lahore, Ghani Glass secured a 19-run victory via the DLS method after bad light ended the game. SNGPL, batting first, scored 306-8 in their 50 overs, thanks to a magnificent 128 from Haseebullah. In response, Tayyab Tahir’s unbeaten 128 off 138 balls and a 180-run partnership with Hussain Talat (79) helped Ghani Glass reach 273-3 in 45 overs, before bad light intervened, giving them victory on DLS.

PTV vs OGDCL:
In Faisalabad, PTV triumphed over OGDCL by 31 runs on DLS at the Iqbal Stadium. Amad Butt led the way for PTV with a blistering 105, helping his team post 320-8 in 50 overs. In response, OGDCL were 250-7 in 45 overs when bad light ended the match, falling short of the revised target. Abbas Ali and Adil Amin scored half-centuries for OGDCL, but it wasn’t enough to secure the win.

The second round of matches in the President’s Cup will take place on Saturday, 5 October.

Scores in Brief:

• SBP beat HEC by 9 wickets
  HEC 111 all out, 38 overs (Aaliyan Mahmood 24; Mohammad Faizan 5-24, Saqib Khan 3-21)
  SBP 113-1, 11.5 overs (Mohammad Faizan 84 not out)
• WAPDA beat KRL by 8 wickets
  KRL 238 all out, 50 overs (Maaz Sadaqat 74; Mohammad Zeeshan 3-54, Ali Raza 3-59)
  WAPDA 239-2, 38.5 overs (Mohammad Arif 100 not out, Iftikhar Ahmed 56 not out)
• Ghani Glass beat SNGPL by 19 runs (DLS)
  SNGPL 306-8, 50 overs (Haseebullah 128, Omair Bin Yousuf 82; Ubaid Shah 4-48)
  Ghani Glass 273-3, 45 overs (Tayyab Tahir 128 not out, Hussain Talat 79)
• PTV beat OGDCL by 31 runs (DLS)
  PTV 320-8, 50 overs (Amad Butt 105, Faheem Ashraf 88)
  OGDCL 250-7, 45 overs (Abbas Ali 72, Adil Amin 62; Faheem Ashraf 2-45)