Markhor IT Win Presidents Trophy Grade-I Title as Khalid Usman Spins Out SBP by 51 Runs

Markhor IT (MIT Solutions) won the Presidents Trophy Grade-I final after defeating State Bank of Pakistan (SBP) by 51 runs on the final day at Bagh-e-Jinnah in Lahore on Friday. SBP, chasing 237, resumed the last day at 165/7 but were bowled out for 185 in the first session. Khalid Usman was the standout bowler with four wickets for 38 runs in 16.5 overs, while Mohammad Ismaeel took two wickets and Aamer Jamal and Salman Aslam claimed one each. The final had been finely balanced overnight. SBP needed 72 runs with three wickets in hand, and Mubashir Khan and Mohammad Abbas had added 17 unbeaten runs for the eighth wicket before stumps on the third day. That partnership gave SBP hope of pushing the chase deep into the final day, but Markhor IT struck early on Friday morning and did not allow the game to drift. Mohammad Abbas was the first batter to fall, scoring six off 30 deliveries with one boundary. Mubashir Khan then tried to hold the innings together, making 32 off 56 balls with three fours, but Mohammad Ismaeel dismissed him to deal a major blow to the chase. Khalid Usman completed the victory by dismissing Kashif Bhatti for two, finishing with figures of 4/38. Ismaeel claimed two wickets, while Aamer Jamal and Salman Aslam picked up one apiece. Earlier, Markhor IT 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 a determined 55 off 81 deliveries, including seven boundaries. The all-rounder had also starred with the ball in the first innings, taking seven wickets. For SBP, Test pacer Mohammad Abbas was the pick of the bowlers with 5/70 in 18 overs. Sirajuddin claimed three wickets, while Shahid Aziz and Kashif Bhatti took one each. Abbas gave SBP control at several stages, but the batting side could not build enough partnerships in the final innings. Chasing 237, SBP began steadily as openers Hasan Raza and Abdullah Fazal put together 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 and Kamran Ghulam, who contributed 13 and 16 respectively. However, Ghulam dismissal by Jamal in the 41st over triggered a collapse as SBP lost five wickets in quick succession, including that of Hasan, to slump to 147/7. Hasan remained SBP leading run-scorer with a fighting 73 off 136 balls, hitting eight boundaries. Mubashir then attempted 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. On the final morning, however, SBP resistance ended as Markhor IT secured the title with a convincing victory. Markhor IT victory was built on disciplined bowling and timely contributions. Khalid Usman broke the middle order, Ismaeel removed the well-set Mubashir, and Jamal and Salman Aslam maintained pressure with the older ball. The 51-run margin may look comfortable in the scorebook, but the match was decided by small moments on the final morning, when SBP could add only 20 runs after resuming at 165/7. Aamer Jamal all-round performance was one of the defining features of the final. His seven-wicket haul in the first innings and his 55-run effort in the second innings gave Markhor IT balance in both departments. Mohammad Abbas five-wicket haul kept SBP in the contest, while Hasan Raza 73-run innings was the main resistance in the chase. In the end, Markhor IT stronger collective effort and ability to seize the key moments earned them the Presidents Trophy Grade-I title.