KRL beat PTV to clinch President’s Cup Grade-I

Chasing a modest 165-run target, KRL comfortably knocked the winning runs for the loss of six wickets and 92 balls to spare
KARACHI
A collective bowling effort, followed by Shahzaib Khan’s half-century, helped Khan Research Laboratories (KRL) to edge past Pakistan Television (PTV) in the final and win the President’s Cup Grade-I title here at the National Bank Stadium on Thursday.
PTV captain Shamyl Hussain’s decision to bat first backfired as his team’s batting unit could muster 164 runs before getting bowled out in 40.2 overs despite his brisk half-century up the order. The team got off to a dismal start to their innings as they lost opening batter Yasir Khan in the second over with just 12 runs on the board.
Following the early setback, Hussain was joined by Mohammad Mohsin (22) in the middle, and the duo anchored PTV’s innings with a 58-run partnership for the second wicket, which culminated with the latter’s dismissal off Ahmad Hassan in the 12th over.
Hussain then shared brief partnerships by Mohammad Suleman and Mohammad Taha until eventually falling victim to Ahmad in the 18th over and walked back after top-scoring with a 44-ball 50, comprising six fours and two sixes.
His dismissal sparked a match-defining collapse as PTV lost their remaining seven wickets for just 74 runs and were thus bowled out for a modest total in the summit clash.Ahmad and Sufiyan Muqeem jointly led KRL’s bowling charge with three wickets each, followed by Ahmed Bashir with two, while Iftikhar Ahmed and Hamza Nazar chipped in with one apiece.
Chasing a modest 165-run target, KRL comfortably knocked the winning runs for the loss of six wickets and 92 balls to spare, courtesy of Shahzaib’s half-century. The opening batter remained the top-scorer for KRL with a sensible 53 off 83 deliveries, studded with four fours and a six, and oversaw their pursuit until the 30th over.
During his stay in the middle, Shahzaib was notably supported by fellow opener Saad Baig and captain Iftikhar Ahmed, who made 23 and 25, respectively. Meanwhile, following his dismissal, Muhammad Amir Barki and Hamza Nazar batted sensibly under pressure and steered KRL to glory with an unbeaten 31-run partnership. Faisal Akram was the standout bowler for PTV in the final, taking three wickets for 51 runs in his 10 overs, followed by Ali Usman with two, while Israr Hussain made one scalp.