In the last round of the league stage of the President’s Cup Grade-I 2023-24, Sui Northern Gas Pipelines Limited (SNGPL) secured a nail-biting 16-run win over Higher Education Commission (HEC) at Shoaib Akhtar Cricket Stadium Rawalpindi.
SNGPL’s innings was ignited by an explosive century from Abdul Samad, who smashed 115 runs off just 92 balls, embellished with 10 boundaries and 5 maximums. Samad found a crucial partner in Omair Bin Yusuf, who contributed a steady 78 runs to propel SNGPL to a competitive total of 313-9 in their allotted 50 overs. Aqib Liaqat and Asif Ali Chandio starred for HEC with three dismissals each.
In response, HEC showcased resilience anchored by Mohammad Junaid’s heroic century. Junaid’s valiant 103 off 109 deliveries, supported by three fours and six sixes, kept HEC in contention. However, SNGPL’s Shahnawaz Dahani orchestrated a late-order collapse, claiming the pivotal wicket of Junaid to finish with figures of 5-48. Despite Junaid’s efforts, HEC was bundled out for 297, falling short of the target by 16 runs.
Meanwhile, at the Diamond Club Ground in Islamabad, Ghani Glass faced defeat against State Bank of Pakistan (SBP). Ghani Glass posted a challenging total of 292-8, anchored by Saad Nasim’s elegant century and Sharjeel Khan’s quickfire half-century. However, SBP’s robust batting response, led by Mohammad Faizan’s century and Mohammad Mohsin’s unbeaten fifty, guided them to a convincing six-wicket victory.
In another fixture at the Rawalpindi Cricket Stadium, Pakistan Television (PTV) outclassed Water and Power Development Authority (WAPDA) by 110 runs. PTV’s Ali Nasir’s blistering 119 propelled his team to a formidable total of 304-5, while WAPDA faltered in their chase, getting bundled out for 194.
With the league stage concluded, the stage is set for the semi-finals of the tournament, scheduled for 9th and 10th May at the historic Gaddafi Stadium in Lahore. SNGPL will lock horns with SBP in the first semi-final, while HEC will take on Ghani Glass in the second semi-final. The winners will advance to the grand finale slated for 12th May at the same venue, promising a thrilling culmination to the prestigious President’s Cup Grade-I.
Scores in brief:
State Bank of Pakistan beat Ghani Glass by six wickets at Diamond Club Ground, Islamabad
Ghani Glass 292-8, 50 overs (Saad Nasim 100, Sharjeel Khan 64, Hussain Talat 41; Kashif Bhatti 3-39, Mohammad Faizan 2-29)
SBP 295-4, 45 overs (Mohammad Faizan 117, Mohammad Mohsin 54 not out, Zain Abbas 50; Saeed Ali 2-40)
SNGPL beat HEC by 16 runs at Shoaib Akhtar Cricket Stadium, Rawalpindi
SNGPL 313-9, 50 overs (Abdul Samad 115, Omair Bin Yousuf 78; Aqib Liaqat 3-68, Asif Ali Chandio 3-74)
HEC 297 all out, 49.1 overs (Mohammad Junaid 103, Mohammad Mohsin 42, Obaid Shahid 38; Shahnawaz Dahani 5-48, Hunain Shah 2-22)
PTV beat WAPDA by 110 runs at Rawalpindi Cricket Stadium
PTV 304-5, 50 overs (Ali Nasir 119, Mohammad Suleman 75; Mohammad Zeeshan 2-56, Shahzad Ahmed 2-60)
WAPDA 194 all out, 35.1 overs (Bismillah Khan 53, Mohammad Zeeshan 53; Faisal Akram 4-36, Israr Hussain 2-24, Farhan Shafiq 2-48)
Semi-final and final schedule:
Semi-final 1 – 9 May SNGPL vs SBP, Gaddafi Stadium Lahore
Semi-final 2 – 10 May HEC vs Ghani Glass, Gaddafi Stadium Lahore
Final – 12 May (winner of semi-final 1 vs winner of semi-final 2), Gaddafi Stadium Lahore
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