Israr Hussain produced a superb spell of left-arm bowling as PTV fought back strongly against KRL on day two of their sixth-round President’s Trophy Grade-I match at the Shoaib Akhtar Cricket Stadium in Rawalpindi.
KRL resumed on 59 for 2 but collapsed to 129 all out in 48.2 overs. Israr was the destroyer-in-chief, taking 5 for 56 from 12.2 overs. He was well supported by Kashif Ali, who claimed three wickets, and Khalil Ahmed, who took two.
A 91-run first-innings lead
Shahzeb Khan top-scored for KRL with 31, while Iftikhar Ahmed made 25. But no batter could build a substantial innings against disciplined bowling, and KRL conceded a 91-run first-innings deficit.
PTV had earlier posted 220 in 49.4 overs, built around half-centuries from Mohammad Sharoon Siraj (64) and Mohammad Taimur Khan (62). Ahmad Bashir was the pick of the KRL bowlers with 4 for 59.
The contrast between the two innings tells the story of the day. PTV’s batters ground out a competitive total on a surface offering help to the bowlers, and then their attack made that total count for double.
PTV extend the advantage
By stumps on day two, PTV had stretched their grip on the game. They reached 44 for 2 in 13.5 overs in their second innings, with Abbas Ali unbeaten on 10 and Mohammad Ammar on 7. Yasir Khan (12) and Mohammad Taha (8) were the men dismissed.
PTV’s overall lead now stands at 135 runs with two days remaining. On a Rawalpindi surface that is offering the bowlers something, that is a commanding position. KRL will need early wickets on day three to stay in the contest; otherwise PTV can bat them out of the game and set up a fourth-innings chase that looks beyond reach.
The other game
In the day’s other President’s Trophy action at the Diamond Ground in Islamabad, a city where a planned international stadium is currently facing a legal challenge, MIT Solutions piled up 376 against SBP, with Abuzar Tariq top-scoring with 77. SBP closed on 138 for 4, still trailing by 238 runs. That match is finely balanced: a big first-innings lead for MIT Solutions, but SBP have wickets in hand and time to respond.
Why it matters
Domestic first-class cricket in Pakistan rarely makes the headlines, but performances like Israr’s are exactly how bowlers force their way into the conversation. Five-wicket hauls in the President’s Trophy have a habit of being noticed by national selectors, and with Pakistan’s white-ball side fresh from a T20I series win over Sri Lanka, the left-armer will be hoping this is the start of a big season.
The sixth round of the tournament is also the business end of the group stage, where every point shapes the race for the final. A win here would put PTV in a strong position, and Israr has given them the perfect platform. KRL, meanwhile, know that only a dramatic turnaround on day three can keep them in the hunt. With the ball moving and the pitch wearing, the next session could decide the match. For a broader look at the domestic structure, see our Pakistan domestic cricket guide.
*Source: Geo Super*
