Key Takeaways
- Salman Ali Agha scores an unbeaten 101 in his first innings after being dropped from the national team.
- Fakhar Zaman hits his seventh first-class century for Khan Research Laboratories.
- Rain and wet outfields limit play in Islamabad and Rawalpindi, affecting match outcomes.
Pakistan Test cricketers Salman Ali Agha and Fakhar Zaman made strong statements in their return to domestic cricket during the inaugural President’s Trophy Grade-I tournament. Agha, one of the seven players sent home after Pakistan’s defeat in the second Test against England, scored an unbeaten 101 to help Kingsmen Academy reach 275-3 at Abbottabad Cricket Stadium.
The right-hander’s performance came after the pacers Salman Aslam, Samama Riaz, and Mohammad Ismail reduced Kingsmen to 72-3, but Agha and Mohammad Suleman put together an unbeaten 185-run stand, with Suleman scoring 83 not out at the close of play.
In Peshawar, Fakhar, a white-ball mainstay for Pakistan, struck his seventh first-class century as Khan Research Laboratories reached 371-5 against Ghani Glass. The left-hander scored a brisk 128 off 136 balls, hitting 16 fours and two sixes, and shared a 90-run fourth-wicket stand with Imran Rafiq, who contributed 95 off 134.
Rain and wet outfields restricted play to 45 and 19 overs respectively in Islamabad and Rawalpindi. In Islamabad, Pakistan Television opted to bat against Oil and Gas Development Company Limited (OGDCL) and reached 131-3 by stumps, with Mohammad Taha unbeaten on a gritty half-century.
In Rawalpindi, Sui Northern Gas Pipelines Limited (SNGPL) opted to bowl first and their decision paid dividends as State Bank of Pakistan were reduced to 44-3 in the 19 overs possible. Pace bowlers Shahnawaz Dahani and Shehzad Gul, along with left-arm spinner Ahamed Safi Abdullah, took a wicket apiece, with no State Bank batter managing to cross 20.
The President’s Trophy Grade-I tournament, which began on Saturday, sees Kingsmen Academy playing in their maiden first-class tournament. The matches in Islamabad and Rawalpindi were affected by weather conditions, limiting play and affecting the outcomes.
The performances of Agha and Fakhar in their respective matches demonstrate their readiness to compete at the highest level, despite the challenges posed by the weather and their recent national team experiences.
