Khalid Usman's four-wicket haul helps Markhor IT clinch President's Trophy

Lahore: Markhor IT (MIT Solutions) clinched the President's Trophy Grade-I title after defeating State Bank of Pakistan (SBP) by 51 runs on the final day of the final at Bagh-e-Jinnah on Friday, with Khalid Usman's four-wicket haul sealing the result. Chasing 237, SBP resumed on 165/7 but added only 20 runs before being bowled out for 185 in the first session. Mohammad Abbas was the first to go on the final morning, scoring six off 30 balls with one four. Mohammad Ismaeel then dismissed the well-set Mubashir Khan for 32 off 56 balls, including three fours. Khalid Usman completed the win by dismissing Kashif Bhatti for two, finishing with 4/38 in 16.5 overs. Ismaeel took two wickets, while Aamer Jamal and Salman Aslam claimed one each. Earlier, MIT resumed their second innings on 273/7 on the third day with Jamal and Salman 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 balls, hitting seven fours. He had also taken seven wickets in the first innings. For SBP, Mohammad Abbas was the pick of the bowlers with 5/70 in 18 overs. Sirajuddin took three wickets, while Shahid Aziz and Kashif Bhatti took one each. In pursuit of 237, SBP's openers Hasan Raza and Abdullah Fazal put on 49. Salman Aslam broke the stand in the 20th over by dismissing Fazal for 25 off 68. Hasan then shared useful partnerships with Faham-ul-Haq and Kamran Ghulam, who made 13 and 16 respectively. Ghulam's dismissal by Jamal in the 41st over triggered a collapse as SBP lost five quick wickets, including Hasan, to slump to 147/7. Hasan was SBP's leading scorer with 73 off 136 balls, including eight fours. Mubashir tried to revive the chase, adding an unbeaten 17 runs for the eighth wicket with Abbas before stumps on the third day. However, SBP's resistance ended on the final morning as MIT secured the title with a convincing victory. The final day belonged to Markhor IT's bowlers, who kept SBP under pressure and did not allow a big partnership. Khalid Usman bowled a decisive spell, Ismaeel removed the set Mubashir, and Jamal and Salman maintained discipline. SBP needed 72 more runs at the start of the day with three wickets in hand, but the first session settled the match. Hasan Raza fought hard with 73, while Mubashir made 32, but the lower order could not take the team home. For Markhor IT, Jamal's all-round contribution was crucial. His seven-wicket haul in the first innings and 55-run effort in the second gave the team control. Khalid Usman then finished the job with four wickets, and Ismaeel provided important support. The 51-run win underlined Markhor IT's collective effort and secured the President's Trophy Grade-I crown.