Tag: PTV

KARACHI: Pakistan TV (PTV) broke a 232-year-old first-class cricket record to register a thrilling two-run victory against Sui Northern Gas Pipelines Limited (SNGPL) in the President’s Trophy Grade-I at the National Bank Stadium on Saturday.

PTV came from the back on the final day to pull off an extraordinary victory in the history of the game, successfully defending a target of just 40 runs.

With this feat, PTV became the first team in the 253-year history of first-class cricket to defend a target as low as 40, eclipsing a record that had stood unbroken for 232 years.

The contest appeared firmly tilted in SNGPL’s favour for most of the match. PTV were dismissed for 166 in their first innings, with Amad Butt’s unbeaten 46 offering the lone resistance.

SNGPL’s bowling attack was disciplined and incisive, led by Shehzad Gul’s four-wicket haul, while Shahnawaz Dahani and Sajid Khan chipped in with two wickets apiece.

In reply, SNGPL posted 238, gaining a healthy 72-run lead. Their innings was rescued by wicketkeeper-batter Saifullah Bangash, who played a counter-attacking knock of 71 after the side had slumped to 94-6.

Follow us on our Official WhatsApp channel

For PTV, left-arm spinner Ali Usman starred with the ball, claiming four wickets, while Amad Butt and Israr Hussain took three each to keep the deficit within reach.

However, PTV’s second innings failed to ignite, as they were bowled out for 111, setting SNGPL a seemingly straightforward target of 40.

Once again, Shehzad Gul proved the chief tormentor, tearing through the batting line-up with a five-wicket haul.

However, what followed rewrote the record book as PTV launched an improbable fightback, led by a sensational spell from Ali Usman, who ran riot to claim figures of 6 for 9.

Meanwhile, Amad Butt provided relentless support at the other end, claiming the remaining four wickets. SNGPL bundled out for just 37, handing PTV a stunning two-run victory.

The previous record for the lowest successful defence in first-class cricket dated back to 1794, when Oldfield defended a target of 41 against the Marylebone Cricket Club at Lord’s Old Ground.

READ: Strikers rout Renegades for 99 to sign off BBL 15 with dominant win

KARACHI: All-rounder Jahandad Khan delivered with both bat and ball to guide Pakistan Television (PTV) into the President’s Cup final as Oil and Gas Development Company Limited (OGDCL) faltered in the semi-final.

Set 242 under lights at the National Bank Stadium, OGDCL fell short and were bowled out for 157 in 30.5 overs.

PTV will now face either Khan Research Laboratories (KRL) or Sui Northern Gas Pipelines Limited (SNGPL) on 25 December at the same venue, where the second semi-final is set to take place on 23 December.

Maaz Sadaqat and Imam ul Haq provided a 43-run start, with the former remaining the core aggressor with 35 off just 16 balls. The left-hander hit three sixes and three fours in his knock.

After a positive start, OGDCL lost two wickets in quick time, leaving them in trouble at 44-2.

PTV bowlers kept mounting the pressure with clinical bowling and wickets at regular intervals. As a result, the unbeaten side in the tournament were reduced to 79-5 in 12.1 overs.

Follow us on our Official WhatsApp channel

With wickets falling, Danish Aziz and Rohail Nazir tried to arrest the slide with a brief stand, but a middle collapse saw them bundle out, which handed PTV an 84-run victory.

For PTV, after starring with the bat, Jahandad Khan also chipped in the bat, scalping two crucial wickets at a critical juncture of the game.

For his outstanding performance, he was named the player of the match.

Earlier, Jahandad rescued PTV from a precarious 159-5 and helped them reach a respectable total. He made 63 off 47 balls with the help of six fours and four sixes.

For OGDCL, Asif Afridi picked up two wickets in his nine overs.

It is pertinent to mention that OGDCL remained unbeaten in their seven league stage games, including a five-wicket win over PTV at the Oval Academy Ground on 10 December.

READ: BCCI to review India U19 performance after Pakistan defeat