Key Takeaways
- SBP and MIT Solutions will compete in the four-day final of the President’s Trophy Grade-I 2026/27.
- SBP secured the top spot with 107 points, while MIT Solutions finished second with 96 points.
- Hasan Raza scored an unbeaten century for SBP in their final league-stage match.
State Bank of Pakistan (SBP) and Markhor IT (MIT) Solutions have been confirmed as the finalists for the four-day final of the President’s Trophy Grade-I 2026/27, scheduled to take place at the SBP Sports Complex from October 25 to 28.
SBP emerged as the top team in the league stage, finishing with 107 points from seven matches, including two wins and five draws. The team remained unbeaten throughout the league stage, a feat that was highlighted by an unbeaten century from Hasan Raza in their final match.
MIT Solutions secured second place with 96 points from seven matches, including two wins and four draws. Their victory over Pakistan Television (PTV) by six wickets on the third day of their final league-stage fixture secured their position in the final.
In their final league-stage match, SBP played out a draw against Kingsmen Academy at the National Cricket Ground in Islamabad. Hasan Raza, the team’s captain, contributed an unbeaten 128, while Mohammad Shayan added 28. Kamran Ghulam was the standout bowler for SBP, claiming four wickets for 54 runs in seven overs.
Kingsmen Academy, captained by Mohammad Tayyab Arif, resumed their second innings at 166/2, leading by 139 runs, and declared at 321/8 after adding 155 runs in 44 overs. Arif led the charge with 120 off 110 deliveries, including 17 fours and two sixes.
Elsewhere, Sui Northern Gas Pipelines Limited (SNGPL) secured a four-wicket victory over Khan Research Laboratories (KRL) at the Shoaib Akhtar Cricket Stadium in Rawalpindi. SNGPL chased 191, with Mohammad Rizwan and Abdul Samad at the crease. Rizwan was dismissed by Daniyal Ali Khan for 27, and Samad added 43 runs with Mohammad Ali. Samad remained unbeaten on 69 off 103 balls, hitting 10 fours, while Imran contributed 32 not out off 31 deliveries.
In another match, Ghani Glass secured a draw against Oil and Gas Development Company Limited (OGDCL) at the Lahore City Cricket Association (LCCA) Ground. Hussain Talat and Ali Razzaq scored centuries, helping Ghani Glass reach 380/7 in 104 overs by the close of play, securing a lead of 202 runs.
The final will be a closely watched affair, with both teams aiming to secure the President’s Trophy Grade-I 2026/27 title. The matches will be keenly contested, with the outcome likely to be determined by the performances of key players and the bowlers on both sides.
