Khalid Usman's Four-Wicket Haul Seals President's Trophy Grade-I Title for Markhor IT

Markhor IT (MIT Solutions) won 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 in Lahore on Friday. Chasing 237, SBP resumed the last day at 165/7 but lost their remaining wickets for just 20 more runs and were bowled out for 185 in the first session. Khalid Usman was the central figure in the finish, taking 4/38 in 16.5 overs. He removed Kashif Bhatti for two to complete the victory. Mohammad Ismaeel picked up two wickets, while Aamer Jamal and Salman Aslam claimed one each. On the final morning, Mohammad Abbas was the first to go after making six off 30 balls with one boundary. Ismaeel then dismissed the well-set Mubashir Khan for 32 off 56 balls, including three fours. Earlier, Markhor IT resumed their second innings on the third day at 273/7 and added only 23 runs before being bowled out for 296 in 74.5 overs. Aamer Jamal top-scored with a determined 55 off 81 deliveries, hitting seven boundaries. The all-rounder had already made a major impact with the ball in the first innings, taking seven wickets. For SBP, Mohammad Abbas was the standout bowler with 5/70 in 18 overs. Sirajuddin claimed three wickets, while Shahid Aziz and Kashif Bhatti took one apiece. Despite Abbas's five-wicket haul, Markhor IT's total of 296 proved decisive. In their chase of 237, SBP began steadily as openers Hasan Raza and Abdullah Fazal put on 49 runs. Salman Aslam broke the stand in the 20th over by dismissing Fazal for 25 off 68 deliveries. Hasan then shared useful partnerships with Faham-ul-Haq and Kamran Ghulam, who contributed 13 and 16 respectively. However, Kamran Ghulam's dismissal by Jamal in the 41st over triggered a collapse. SBP lost five wickets in quick succession, including that of Hasan, and slipped to 147/7. Hasan was SBP's leading scorer with a fighting 73 off 136 balls, including eight fours. Mubashir Khan tried to keep the chase alive and shared an unbeaten 17-run eighth-wicket partnership with Abbas before stumps on the third day. But SBP's resistance ended on the final morning as Markhor IT sealed the title with a convincing 51-run victory. The win underlined the value of Markhor IT's collective effort, with Jamal's all-round contribution, Khalid Usman's four-wicket haul and useful support from Ismaeel, Salman and the rest of the attack proving decisive.