Khalid Usman's Four-Wicket Haul Helps Markhor IT Win President's Trophy Grade-I

Markhor IT (MIT Solutions) won the President's Trophy Grade-I title after defeating State Bank of Pakistan by 51 runs on the final day of the final at Bagh-e-Jinnah, Lahore, on Friday. Khalid Usman was the standout bowler with four wickets as SBP, chasing 237, resumed at 165/7 but were bowled out for 185 in the first session. Mohammad Ismaeel took two wickets, while Aamer Jamal and Salman Aslam claimed one each. The victory capped a strong team performance from Markhor IT, who held their nerve in the decisive morning session. SBP needed 72 more runs with three wickets in hand at the start of the final day. Mubashir Khan and Mohammad Abbas were at the crease, but Markhor IT's bowlers maintained a tight line and gave away very little. SBP could add only 20 runs before their resistance ended. Mohammad Abbas was the first to go, scoring six off 30 balls with one boundary. 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. Earlier, Markhor IT resumed their second innings at 273/7 on the third day and were bowled out for 296 in 74.5 overs. Aamer Jamal top-scored with 55 off 81 deliveries, hitting seven boundaries. He had also starred with the ball in the first innings, taking seven wickets. For SBP, Mohammad Abbas was the pick of the bowlers with 5/70 in 18 overs, while Sirajuddin took three wickets and Shahid Aziz and Kashif Bhatti claimed one each. The target of 237 was always going to test SBP's batting depth, and Markhor IT's bowlers made sure the pressure never eased. In the chase, SBP openers Hasan Raza and Abdullah Fazal put together 49 runs before Salman Aslam broke the partnership in the 20th over, dismissing Fazal for 25 off 68 deliveries. Hasan then shared useful stands with Faham-ul-Haq and Kamran Ghulam, who made 13 and 16 respectively. However, Kamran's dismissal by Aamer Jamal in the 41st over triggered a collapse as SBP lost five wickets quickly, including that of Hasan, to slip to 147/7. Hasan remained SBP's leading scorer with a fighting 73 off 136 balls, including eight boundaries. Mubashir Khan tried to revive the chase and built an unbeaten 17-run partnership for the eighth wicket with Abbas before stumps on the third day. But on the final morning, Markhor IT ended SBP's resistance to secure a convincing 51-run victory. Khalid Usman's four-wicket haul was the decisive performance, while Ismaeel, Jamal and Salman provided valuable support. For SBP, Abbas's five-wicket spell and Hasan's 73 were the main highlights, but they were not enough to prevent defeat. Markhor IT's title triumph was built on a balanced all-round effort and a disciplined bowling display on the final day.