Markhor IT Clinch President’s Trophy Grade-I Title with 51-Run Win over SBP

LAHORE: Markhor IT, also known as MIT Solutions, won the President’s Trophy Grade-I final by 51 runs after defeating State Bank of Pakistan at Bagh-e-Jinnah on Friday. SBP, chasing 237, resumed the final morning at 165/7 but were bowled out for 185, adding only 20 runs to their overnight total. Khalid Usman finished with four wickets to seal the title for MIT Solutions. On the last morning, Mohammad Abbas was the first batter to fall, scoring six off 30 deliveries with one boundary. Mohammad Ismaeel then dismissed the well-set Mubashir Khan for 32 off 56 balls, including three fours. Khalid Usman ended the innings by dismissing Kashif Bhatti for two, finishing with figures of 4/38 in 16.5 overs. Ismaeel took two wickets, while Aamer Jamal and Salman Aslam claimed one each. Earlier, MIT Solutions resumed their second innings at 273/7 on the third day with Aamer Jamal and Salman Aslam at the crease. They added only 23 runs before being bowled out for 296 in 74.5 overs. Jamal top-scored with 55 off 81 deliveries, hitting seven boundaries. The all-rounder had also taken seven wickets in the first innings. For SBP, Test pacer Mohammad Abbas was the pick of the bowlers with 5/70 in 18 overs. Sirajuddin took three wickets, while Shahid Aziz and Kashif Bhatti picked up one each. In pursuit of 237, SBP made a steady start as openers Hasan Raza and Abdullah Fazal put on 49 runs. Salman Aslam broke the partnership in the 20th over by dismissing Fazal for 25 off 68 deliveries. Hasan then shared useful stands with Faham-ul-Haq, who made 13, and Kamran Ghulam, who contributed 16. However, Kamran Ghulam’s dismissal by Jamal in the 41st over triggered a collapse. SBP lost five wickets in quick succession, including that of Hasan, and slumped to 147/7. Hasan remained SBP’s leading run-scorer with a fighting 73 off 136 balls, including eight boundaries. Mubashir Khan then tried to revive the chase, building an unbeaten 17-run partnership for the eighth wicket with Abbas before the close of play on the third day. SBP’s resistance ended on the final morning as MIT Solutions secured a convincing 51-run victory. Khalid Usman’s control and four-wicket haul proved decisive, while Ismaeel’s dismissal of Mubashir broke SBP’s last realistic hopes. Aamer Jamal’s all-round contribution, with both bat and ball, also played a key role in MIT Solutions’ title-winning performance.