Day two of the fifth round of President’s Trophy delivered captivating clashes across the board. SNGPL and WAPDA locked horns in a nail-biting duel, while the HEC and PTV encounter entered a thrilling new chapter. In another dramatic turn, SBP bowlers steered their team back from the brink against KRL, who were left reeling under the pressure. SNGPL’s Abid Ali cemented his legendary status with a stunning 29th first-class century, while WAPDA’s Asif Afridi wreaked havoc with a mesmerizing five-wicket haul, weaving a tangled web around SNGPL batsmen.
SNGPL vs WAPDA at UBL Sports Complex, Karachi
WAPDA lead by 28 runs in second innings after the completion of the second day’s play as SNGPL were bundled out for 292 in their first innings. Earlier in the day, SNGPL continued from their overnight score of 13-0 and lost Azhar Ali (5, 29b). Omair Bin Yousuf lasted for 55 balls as he scored only 23 runs. Kamran Ghulam (41, 99b, 2x4s, 2x6s) joined forces with Abid Ali to stitch an 89-run partnership.
Meanwhile, Abid Ali (147, 183b, 14x4s, 3x6s) brought up his 29th first-class century, which also kept the SNGPL innings together. Skipper Asad Shafiq (25, 34b, 2x4s) failed to convert his start. SNGPL lost their last five wickets for a paltry total of 13 runs.
Asif Afridi and Khalid Usman bowled in tandem to share nine wickets among them as the former bagged his ninth five-wicket haul. WAPDA copped a big blow at the start of their second innings as opening batter Hassan Abid Kiyani bagged a two-ball duck.
Muhammad Akhlaq (21 not out, 59b, 2x4s, 1×6) and Ahmed Shehzad (43 not out, 59b, 8x4s) carved an unbeaten 64-run partnership before stumps were drawn and erased SNGPL’s 36-run lead while building a small lead.
HEC vs PTV at State Bank Stadium, Karachi
HEC scored 231-8 in their allotted 80 overs in reply to PTV’s 216, taking a mere 15-run lead on day two. Continuing from their overnight score of 111-3, HEC lost Saad Khan (24, 51b, 2x4s) early. Debutant Obaid Shahid (57 not out, 149b, 3x4s) scored a gutsy unbeaten half-century to help his team inch closer to PTV’s first-innings total.
He was helped by Adeel Meo (20, 41b, 2x4s) and Mohammad Azab (20, 82b, 3x4s) who spent time in the middle. PTV’s Jahandad Khan and Mohammad Ibtisam bagged two wickets each while Mohammad Sadaqat and Muhammad Shahzad struck once.
In reply, PTV opening batters, Hasan Nawaz (59, 75b, 5x4s, 2x6s) and Nasir Nawaz (39, 63b, 7x4s) got off to a good start putting on 80 runs for the first wicket. Hasan was dismissed moments before stumps were drawn with the scorecard reading 122-2 and with a lead of 107 runs. Waqar Hussain (24 not out, 45b, 3x4s) and Muhammad Shahzad will continue batting on day three for PTV.
SBP vs KRL at National Bank Stadium, Karachi
SBP were reduced to 47-5 as they continued from their overnight score of 28-2. Ali Usman and Rameez Aziz scored one run each. Muhammad Irfan Khan (91 not out, 124b, 8x4s, 4x6s), batting at number six, struck a brilliant half-century to cut the trail below hundred. SBP ended up scoring 194 all out in 58.3 overs. Wicket-keeper batter Ali Shan (33, 95b, 4x4s, 1×6) also put up resistance facing more than 15 overs.
Umer Khan dismissed three batters while Kashif Ali bagged two scalps. Arshadullah and Sirajuddin removed one batter each. KRL started their second innings with a 75-run lead.
SBP bowlers wreaked havoc as they reduced KRL to 24-5. Maaz Sadaqat (42 not out, 68b, 7x4s) continued the flow of runs and remained unbeaten by the end of the day. Rohail Nazir (23, 53b, 4x4s) and Umer Khan (2, 3b) were the two other KRL batters to get out as KRL finished the day at 101-7 in 38 overs and a lead of 176.
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