SBP and MIT reach President’s Trophy Grade-I final as league stage concludes
State Bank of Pakistan will face Markhor IT Solutions (MIT) in the President’s Trophy final after the two sides finished first and second in the eight-team Grade-I league stage. The final will be played at the SBP Sports Complex in Karachi from October 25.
SBP topped the table with 107 points from seven matches, winning two and drawing five to remain unbeaten through the competition. MIT, who earned promotion from Grade-II earlier this year, accumulated 96 points to book their place in the final in their first season at the top level.
How the finalists were confirmed
SBP’s last-round match against Kingsmen Academy at the National Cricket Ground in Islamabad ended in a draw. Kingsmen Academy declared their second innings at 321-8 in 44 overs, with captain Mohammad Tayyab Arif scoring 120 off 110 balls, including 17 fours and two sixes, to register his third first-class century of the season.
Chasing 295, SBP reached 208-3. Hasan Raza anchored the innings with an unbeaten 128 off 187 balls, smashing 22 fours, and added 144 runs for the fourth wicket with Ali Shan, who scored 57 off 123. The result was enough to secure SBP’s place at the summit.
MIT confirmed their second-placed finish with a six-wicket victory over Pakistan Television (PTV) on the third day of the final-round fixture. A team that was playing Grade-II cricket a year ago will now contest the title — the standout story of this season’s domestic cricket.
SNGPL survives, OGDCL goes down
The final round also settled the relegation battle. Sui Northern Gas Pipelines Limited (SNGPL) secured their top-tier place with a four-wicket victory over Khan Research Laboratories (KRL) in Rawalpindi. Needing 191 to win, SNGPL slipped to 92-5 and then 135-6 before Abdul Samad steered them home with an unbeaten 69 off 103 balls, hitting 10 boundaries. He shared an unbroken 58-run stand with Imran Randhawa, who contributed 31 not out off 32 balls.
SNGPL finished sixth with 76 points. PTV collected 74. Oil and Gas Development Company Limited (OGDCL), who ended at the bottom with 72 points, were relegated to President’s Trophy Grade-II.
At the LCCA Ground in Lahore, OGDCL and Ghani Glass played out a draw. Resuming their second innings at 82-3 and trailing by 96 runs, Ghani Glass were under pressure at 149-5 before Hussain Talat and Ali Razzaq turned the match around. Talat made 108 off 142 balls and Ali remained unbeaten on 111 off 151, the pair adding 109 for the sixth wicket as Ghani Glass established a lead of 202 when the teams agreed to a draw.
Kingsmen Academy and Ghani Glass shared third place with 89 points each, followed by KRL on 83.
The President’s Trophy final
The final at the SBP Sports Complex will pit the tournament’s unbeaten table-toppers against its surprise package. SBP have been the most consistent side all season, while MIT’s rise from Grade-II to finalist in a single year gives the match a genuine narrative.
Pakistan’s domestic structure has been a talking point this season, with former greats like Sadiq Mohammad criticising selection debates around the T20 squad and the PCB talking to Shaun Tait about a bowling consultant role. Performances in this final will shape the next round of those conversations.
FAQ
When is the President’s Trophy final?
The President’s Trophy Grade-I final begins on October 25 at the SBP Sports Complex in Karachi, between State Bank of Pakistan and Markhor IT Solutions.
Who topped the President’s Trophy league stage?
State Bank of Pakistan finished first with 107 points from seven matches, unbeaten with two wins and five draws. MIT Solutions finished second with 96 points.
Which team was relegated from President’s Trophy Grade-I?
Oil and Gas Development Company Limited (OGDCL) finished bottom with 72 points and were relegated to Grade-II. SNGPL survived after beating KRL by four wickets in the final round.
