Sahir Associates produced a complete all-round performance across four days to crush MIT Solutions by 355 runs in the final of the President’s Trophy Grade-II at the Abbottabad Cricket Stadium, capping an unbeaten tournament campaign and booking their berth in next season’s Grade-I departmental first-class competition.
With a combination of clinical bowling, resilient batting, and sharp fielding, Sahir Associates dictated terms from the opening session and never allowed MIT Solutions to recover. A sensational hundred by opener Fahad Usman, a five-wicket haul by pacer Khan Zeb in the fourth innings, and crucial contributions from the top and middle order sealed the trophy for a side that had remained unbeaten in the tournament with five wins and four draws from their nine outings.
Day 1: MIT Pacers Shine, But Sahir Associates Post 272
The final began on Thursday with MIT Solutions winning the toss and electing to bowl first on a grassy Abbottabad surface. Their decision appeared justified early on as Raza Ullah struck with the very first ball, removing opener Saad Athar for a golden duck.
Fahad Usman (26) and Asim Ali Nasir (25) briefly steadied the innings with a 53-run stand for the second wicket. However, both batters fell in quick succession—Asim bowled by Raza and Fahad caught behind off Kaleem Ullah—leaving Sahir Associates reeling at 63 for 3.
Muhammad Saleem (58 off 139 balls) anchored the innings through the middle overs, while Ahmer Ashfaq (43) added useful runs in a 67-run partnership. Lower-order contributions from Mohsin Khan (34) and Muhammad Kashif (27) carried the team past the 250-mark before they were eventually dismissed for 272 in 66.2 overs.
Raza Ullah was the pick of the bowlers, finishing with impressive figures of 4 for 41 in 13.2 overs. Shahab Khan supported well with 3 for 58 in 15 overs.
In response, MIT Solutions ended the day on 46 for 1 in 16 overs, with opener Husnain Nadeem dismissed for 18, while Zain Ishaq remained unbeaten on 21.
Day 2: Rain-Shortened Day Sees MIT Collapse for 135
Rain delayed the start of play on Friday, limiting action to just 49 overs. MIT Solutions resumed at 46 for 1, but failed to build partnerships as wickets fell at regular intervals. Mohammad Tayyab played a lone hand with an unbeaten 36, but no batter could stay long enough to support him.
Shahid Ali led the bowling effort for Sahir Associates with 4 for 60 in 12.5 overs. Mohsin Khan (2 for 4), Muhammad Bilawal (2 for 27), and Khan Zeb (2 for 30) all chipped in as MIT Solutions were bundled out for 135 in 41.5 overs, conceding a crucial 137-run lead.
At stumps, Sahir Associates extended their dominance by reaching 52 without loss in seven overs of their second innings, with openers Fahad Usman and Khawaja Muhammad Abdullah looking settled.
Day 3: Fahad’s Blazing Century Extends Lead Beyond Reach
The third day belonged to one man—Fahad Usman. The right-handed opener, who resumed on 36, displayed superb strokeplay and remarkable temperament to notch up a commanding 158 off 191 balls, studded with 13 fours and eight sixes. His aggressive yet controlled innings took the game completely away from MIT.
After Khawaja Abdullah fell for 31 (obstructing the field), Fahad built crucial partnerships with Muhammad Saleem (36), adding 90 for the third wicket, and another 118 with Ahmer Ashfaq (51), who recorded his second important score of the match.
Despite a late burst by MIT bowlers—who reduced Sahir Associates from 324 for 3 to 367 for 7—Sahir remained in firm control by stumps, leading by 504 runs.
Kaleem Ullah and Raza Ullah picked up two wickets each, but the bowling lacked venom to challenge Fahad and company.
Day 4: Sahir Wrap Up Title with Ruthless Finish
On the final day, Sahir Associates added 82 runs to their overnight score before being dismissed for 449 in 90.5 overs. Mohsin Khan, who began the day unbeaten on 16, scored 68 in a composed innings, further demoralising the already-worn MIT bowling attack. Kaleem Ullah stood out with a five-wicket haul (5 for 83), but the task of chasing 587 in 75 overs proved far too steep.
MIT Solutions’ chase began with some intent. At one point, they were 102 for 2 in 12.5 overs, with Husnain Nadeem (54 off 38 balls) and Muhammad Bilal (70 off 66) playing with aggression. But once the duo was dismissed, the innings crumbled. MIT lost five wickets for just 36 runs, slumping to 138 for 7, and eventually folded for 231 in 37.2 overs.
Khan Zeb was the destroyer-in-chief, claiming 5 for 73 in 9.5 overs, while Raza Ullah and Shahab Khan applied further pressure from the other end.
Tournament Summary and Awards
Sahir Associates not only lifted the President’s Trophy Grade-II but also earned promotion to the prestigious Grade-I departmental first-class competition for the next domestic season. They were rewarded with a PKR 5 million cash prize, while runners-up MIT Solutions took home PKR 2.5 million.
Individual accolades were also announced:
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Player of the Final: Fahad Usman (158 in the second innings, 26 in the first)
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Best Batter of the Tournament: Asim Ali Nasir (786 runs in 14 innings)
The 2025 edition of the President’s Trophy Grade-II featured 27 departmental teams and a prize pool of PKR 7.75 million, reflecting the PCB’s renewed focus on strengthening departmental cricket across the country.
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