As the dust settled on the fifth round of the President’s Trophy Grade-I, two standout performances illuminated Karachi’s cricketing landscape. Shamyl Hussain’s scintillating 143* off 137 balls spearheaded Pakistan Television’s (PTV) dominant seven-wicket triumph over Ghani Glass, while Usman Salahuddin’s composed 97 off 257 deliveries anchored State Bank of Pakistan (SBP) to a tense four-wicket victory over Higher Education Commission (HEC).
At KCCA Stadium, the stage was set for a thrilling finale as PTV resumed their second innings at 204 for two, needing just 39 runs for victory. It took only 4.2 overs for them to seal the win, with Shamyl Hussain adding to his already commanding century. His aggressive knock, decorated with 14 boundaries and four sixes, ensured PTV comfortably chased the 243-run target, securing their third win of the tournament.
The foundation of PTV’s victory was laid earlier by Mehran Sanwal’s five-wicket haul (5-64), which restricted Ghani Glass to 329 in their second innings despite Kashif Ali’s fighting 133. Israr Hussain’s seven-wicket spell (7-72) on the opening day had set the tone for a gripping contest, and PTV’s batting unit capitalized, led by Mohammad Mohsin (83), Waqar Hussain (73), and Muhammad Shahzad (68) in the first innings.
Meanwhile, at SBP Sports Complex, Usman Salahuddin played a masterclass in patience and determination. Chasing a daunting 293, SBP resumed on 158 for three and faced a stern test of endurance. Usman, eyeing his 29th first-class century, fell agonizingly short at 97 but had done enough to ensure his team’s march to victory. His innings, laced with 13 boundaries, was complemented by Test stalwart Fawad Alam’s steady 52. SBP reached the target in the 100th over, losing six wickets in the process.
Despite HEC’s defeat, Waseem Akram Jnr’s efforts did not go unnoticed. The pacer claimed two wickets in the final innings, finishing with seven wickets in the match, but lacked support from the rest of the bowling attack to stop SBP’s resolute chase.
With the fifth round delivering enthralling cricket and individual brilliance, the tournament now looks ahead to the sixth round, set to commence on 7 February, where teams will battle to strengthen their positions in the standings.
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