Khalid Usman's four-wicket haul helps MIT Solutions beat SBP by 51 runs to win President's Trophy Grade-I title

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, courtesy of Khalid Usman's impressive four-wicket haul. Chasing a challenging target of 237, SBP resumed their second innings at 165/7 but could add only 20 runs before being bowled out for 185 in the first session, handing MIT Solutions a 51-run victory. Khalid Usman finished with 4/38 in 16.5 overs, taking the final wicket of Kashif Bhatti. === THE FINAL MORNING === SBP's hopes rested on Mubashir Khan and Mohammad Abbas, who had added an unbeaten 17 runs for the eighth wicket before the close of the third day. Mohammad Abbas was the first to depart, scoring six off 30 deliveries with one boundary. Mohammad Ismaeel then dismissed the well-set Mubashir Khan, who made 32 off 56 balls with three fours. Khalid Usman completed the victory by dismissing Kashif Bhatti for two. Ismaeel claimed two wickets in the innings, while Aamer Jamal and Salman Aslam picked up one apiece. Salman Aslam had earlier broken the opening stand in the 20th over by dismissing Abdullah Fazal, and Jamal's dismissal of Kamran Ghulam in the 41st over triggered the collapse that ended SBP's resistance. === THE THIRD DAY === MIT Solutions resumed their second innings at 273/7 on the third day but 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, including seven boundaries. The all-rounder had also starred with the ball in the first innings, claiming a seven-wicket haul. 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. === SBP'S CHASE === In pursuit of 237, SBP made a steady start as openers Hasan Raza and Abdullah Fazal put together 49 runs. Salman Aslam broke the partnership in the 20th over, 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, Ghulam's 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's 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. === KEY NUMBERS === MIT Solutions second innings: 296 in 74.5 overs. Aamer Jamal: 55 off 81 balls (7 fours) plus seven wickets in the first innings. Khalid Usman: 4/38 in 16.5 overs. Mohammad Abbas: 5/70 in 18 overs with the ball, six off 30 with the bat. Hasan Raza: 73 off 136 balls (8 fours). Mubashir Khan: 32 off 56 balls (3 fours). Abdullah Fazal: 25 off 68 balls. The numbers show how close the contest really was. A 51-run margin does not reflect how long SBP stayed in the hunt, nor how important Jamal's wicket of Kamran Ghulam proved to be. Between Hasan Raza's fighting knock and Mubashir's rearguard, SBP had moments where the target looked achievable; each time, MIT Solutions found a wicket. === ANALYSIS === Three moments decided this final. First, MIT's 296 in the third innings, which created the pressure of a fourth-innings chase. Second, the 41st over, when Jamal removed Ghulam and opened the door for five quick wickets. Third, the first hour of the final morning, when Abbas fell after 30 balls and Mubashir followed soon after. For MIT Solutions, the title was a collective effort: Jamal's all-round contribution, Khalid Usman's discipline over a long spell, Ismaeel's crucial breakthroughs, and Salman Aslam's early strike. For SBP, Hasan Raza's 73 and Abbas's five-wicket haul were the standout performances in a losing cause. Bagh-e-Jinnah, one of Pakistan's historic cricket venues, hosted a final that underlined the value of the President's Trophy as a stage for domestic first-class cricket. For players hoping to attract national selection, performances like Jamal's and Khalid Usman's carry weight beyond the scorecard.