By: Shakeel ur Rehman
PESHAWAR: The President’s Trophy Grade-I First-Class Cricket Tournament got off to an impressive start at the Imran Khan Stadium, Peshawar, where KRL produced a commanding batting performance against Ghani Glass to reach 371 for 5 at the close of play.
Pakistan international Fakhar Zaman was the star performer for KRL, scoring an aggressive 128 to provide his team with a strong foundation. He struck 16 fours and two sixes during his fluent innings.
After Fakhar’s departure, Imran Rafiq and Asim Ali took control of the innings and built a valuable partnership. Imran remained unbeaten on 95, hitting 13 boundaries, while Asim Ali was not out on 51, with his innings featuring six fours and two sixes.
Ghani Glass bowlers made efforts to contain the KRL batting line-up during the early stages, but the visitors maintained the pressure through a steady scoring rate in the later part of the innings. Ghulam Haider and Waseem Junior claimed two wickets each for Ghani Glass.
The tournament is being played across Peshawar, Abbottabad, Islamabad and Rawalpindi, with eight departmental teams participating in the competition.
At Abbottabad Cricket Stadium, MIT Solutions are facing Kingsmen Academy, while PTV and OGDCL are competing at Diamond Cricket Ground, Islamabad. At Shoaib Akhtar Cricket Stadium, Rawalpindi, State Bank of Pakistan (SBP) are taking on SNGPL.
The President’s Trophy Grade-I comprises seven rounds, with four First-Class matches scheduled in each round. Following the league stage, the top two teams will qualify for the final, which is scheduled to be played from October 24 to 28.
KRL’s strong opening-day performance, led by Fakhar Zaman’s century and valuable contributions from Imran Rafiq and Asim Ali, has put the team in a commanding position in the opening-round contest.
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