As the President’s Cup 2024 nears its playoff stages, State Bank of Pakistan (SBP), Sui Northern Gas Pipelines Limited (SNGPL), and Eshaal Associates grabbed crucial victories in their respective fourth-round matches, securing semi-final spots. These results leave WAPDA, SBP, and Eshaal Associates among the four semi-final contenders, with the last spot still up for grabs as Group B’s final round will decide the fate of SNGPL and PTV.
Group A: SBP Edges Past KRL in Thrilling Contest
SBP pulled off a thrilling two-wicket win over Khan Research Laboratories (KRL) at the Abbottabad Cricket Stadium in a rain-reduced 42-overs match. SBP chased down a 276-run target in the final over, thanks to an unbeaten 49 off 24 balls from Kashif Bhatti.
KRL, having been put into bat first, posted an impressive 275-9, with young Maaz Sadaqat scoring his maiden List-A century (114 off 96 balls), laced with 12 boundaries and six sixes. Maaz was supported by Muhammad Amir Barki (82 off 71 balls), as the pair added 99 runs for the fifth wicket. However, SBP’s bowling unit, led by Kashif Bhatti (3-39), contained KRL with late breakthroughs.
In reply, SBP had steady contributions from their top order, including a solid half-century by opener Mohammad Faizan (63 off 68 balls). But it was Kashif Bhatti’s late heroics with the bat that took SBP home, as he partnered with Niaz Khan (20* off 13 balls) in a crucial 45-run eighth-wicket stand to seal the win with just one ball to spare.
The victory secured SBP’s place in the semi-finals, alongside WAPDA, who topped Group A.
Group B: SNGPL Keeps Semi-Final Hopes Alive with Dominant Win
In Lahore, SNGPL revived their semi-final hopes with a 93-run victory over Pakistan Television (PTV) at Bagh-e-Jinnah. SNGPL posted 249-9 in 45 overs, with Haseebullah’s 54 and all-rounder Qasim Akram’s vital 47 runs standing out. Despite impressive bowling figures from Mohammad Hasnain (3-37), PTV struggled in their chase, falling to 156-9 as Imam-ul-Haq couldn’t bat due to injury.
Qasim Akram starred with the ball as well, taking 3 wickets for just 9 runs, while Arafat Minhas (2-26) and Mohammad Abbas Afridi (2-31) applied further pressure. Sahibzada Farhan was the lone warrior for PTV with 58 off 99 balls, but PTV’s collapse leaves them fighting for survival in the final Group B match.
Group B: Eshaal Associates Cruise Past Ghani Glass
Eshaal Associates comfortably booked their spot in the semi-finals with a five-wicket victory over Ghani Glass at Faisalabad’s Iqbal Stadium. Chasing a target of 179, Eshaal Associates reached 182-5 in 33.1 overs, thanks to a run-a-ball unbeaten 61 from Sajjad Ibraheem. Earlier, Ghani Glass collapsed in their innings, losing six wickets for just 24 runs before a 21-run last-wicket stand took them to 178 all out.
For Eshaal Associates, Usman Tariq was the pick of the bowlers with 3-48, while Zaman Khan and Mohammad Waheed claimed two wickets each. With this win, Eshaal Associates secured a semi-final spot alongside WAPDA, leaving SNGPL and PTV to battle for the remaining semi-final berth in Group B’s last round.
Semi-Final Contenders:
- Group A: WAPDA, SBP
- Group B: Eshaal Associates (Qualified), SNGPL and PTV in contention
Upcoming Matches:
The final round of Group B matches on 11 October will see SNGPL take on OGDCL and PTV face Eshaal Associates, where the last semi-final spot will be determined.
Scores in Brief:
Group A:
- SBP beat KRL by two wickets at Abbottabad Cricket Stadium
KRL 275-9, 42 overs (Maaz Sadaqat 114, Muhammad Amir Barki 82; Kashif Bhatti 3-39, Sirajuddin 2-47)
SBP 276-8, 41.5 overs (Mohammad Faizan 63, Kashif Bhatti 49*, Muhammad Irfan Khan 32; Arshadullah 2-32)
Group B:
- SNGPL beat PTV by 93 runs at Bagh-e-Jinnah, Lahore
SNGPL 249-9, 45 overs (Haseebullah 54, Qasim Akram 47; Mohammad Hasnain 3-37)
PTV 156-9, 35.5 overs (Sahibzada Farhan 58; Qasim Akram 3-9, Arafat Minhas 2-26) - Eshaal Associates beat Ghani Glass by five wickets at Iqbal Stadium, Faisalabad
Ghani Glass 178 all out, 38.4 overs (Mohsin Riaz 51, Junaid Ali 47; Usman Tariq 3-48)
Eshaal Associates 182-5, 33.1 overs (Sajjad Ibraheem 61*, Mohammad Waheed 36; Mohammad Rameez Jnr 3-44)
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