KARACHI: State Bank of Pakistan’s (SBP) Rameez Aziz and Pakistan Television’s (PTV) Mohammad Taha struck centuries while Khan Research Laboratories (KRL) pacer Ahmed Bashir claimed a five-wicket haul on the second day of the second round of the President’s Trophy Grade-I on Saturday.

Ghani Glass strengthened their position against Sui Northern Gas Pipelines Limited (SNGPL), MIT Solutions posted 660 before KRL mounted a reply, and PTV built a strong response to SBP’s 433 at the close of an eventful day.

At the Shoaib Akhtar Stadium in Rawalpindi, KRL were 140-3 at stumps, still 520 runs behind MIT Solutions, who were bowled out for 660 after resuming their first innings at 476-4.

Salman Khan Jr completed his second century of the innings, adding 75 to his overnight 106 to finish with 181as MIT Solutions added 184 runs to their overnight total.

Ahmed Bashir had earlier led KRL’s bowling effort with 5-100 in the absence of Pakistan pacer Shaheen Shah Afridi, who is resting after sustaining bruising to his lower back while diving over the boundary rope in the opening round.

Shaheen sat out the second round on the advice of the team’s medical panel and is expected to return in the third round.

KRL’s reply began poorly when Mohammad Ismail removed Fakhar Zaman for one, before dismissing Mohammad Faiq for 47. Shahzaib Khan was unbeaten on 60 while Mohammad Imran Jr dismissed Iftikhar Ahmed with the final ball of the day.

At the Diamond Cricket Ground in Islamabad, Ghani Glass were bowled out for 409 after resuming at 192-2, giving them a first-innings lead of 257 over SNGPL. Nightwatchman Mohammad Rameez Jr made 76. Shahnawaz Dahani took three wickets.

SNGPL reached 106-2 in their second innings, with opener Sameer Minhas unbeaten on 67..

At the Abbottabad Cricket Stadium, Rameez Aziz’s ton and a 181-run last-wicket stand with Naqeebullah lifted SBP from 278-8 overnight to 433 against PTV. Rameez, who had been unbeaten on 42 overnight, made 120, while Naqeebullah, who came to the crease at No. 11 late on Friday, scored 74.

Ammad Butt was PTV’s most successful bowler with 4-60, while Musa Khan and Haris Rauf took three and two wickets respectively.

PTV responded strongly, reaching 268-3, with, Taha unbeaten on 103 off 177 balls. Opener Yasir Khan made 73.

At the Imran Khan Cricket Stadium in Peshawar, Kingsmen Academy restricted OGDCL to 298 in after the latter resumed at 57-3.

Danish Aziz remained unbeaten on 93, while captain Rohail Nazir made 81. Kingsmen pacer Muhammad Ilyas claimed 4-57, while spinners Mehran Mumtaz and Salman Ali Agha took two wickets apiece to restrict OGDCL’s first-innings lead to 83. Kingsmen openers Mohammad Arshad and Mohammad Huraira had reduced the deficit by 35 runs in nine overs by stumps.

Published in Dawn, September 20th, 2026