Farooq's century puts MIT Solutions on top in President's Trophy

Mohammad Farooq struck a commanding century for MIT Solutions, while Hussain Talat and Saud Shakeel scored half-centuries for their respective teams on the opening day of the seventh round of Pakistan's President's Trophy Grade-I on Monday.

Farooq's 130 off 101 balls, featuring 15 fours and seven sixes, powered MIT Solutions to 370-6 in 77.2 overs against Pakistan Television (PTV) at Diamond Cricket Ground in Islamabad.

Abuzar Tariq narrowly missed a century, scoring 98, while Hasnain Nadeem contributed 49. Khalil Ahmed led PTV's bowling attack with three wickets for 91 runs.

At Lahore's LCCA Ground, Ghani reached 232-8 in 74 overs against Oil and Gas Development Company Limited (OGDCL), with Hussain Talat top-scoring with 71 and Ali Razzaq adding 64.

Aftab Ahmad and Mohammad Hasnain claimed three wickets each for OGDCL, while Mohammad Amir Khan took two for 56.

Sui Northern Gas Pipelines Limited (SNGPL) gained the upper hand against Khan Research Laboratories (KRL) at Shoaib Akhtar Cricket Stadium in Rawalpindi, bowling their opponents out for 151 in 50 overs.

Shahzaib Khan scored 43 and Sarmad Bhatti made 31 for KRL. Shehzad Gul and Shahnawaz Dahani took three wickets each for SNGPL, while Muhammad Imran claimed two for 26.

SNGPL reached 63-2 in reply at stumps, with Sameer Minhas unbeaten on 40, leaving them 88 runs behind with eight wickets remaining.

At the National Ground in Islamabad, Kingsmen Academy posted 328-8 in 84 overs against State Bank of Pakistan (SBP).

Test batter Saud Shakeel top-scored with 79, while Maaz Sadaqat made 64 off 63 balls and Usman Khan scored 62 from 58 deliveries. Mohammad Shayan remained unbeaten on 61 to strengthen the Kingsmen innings.

Shahid Aziz, Mohammad Abbas and Qasim Akram took two wickets each for SBP.

The four-day seventh-round matches continue on Tuesday, with MIT Solutions and Kingsmen Academy well placed after productive opening-day batting displays, while SNGPL hold the advantage against KRL.

Scores in brief:

Round 7 – Day 1 of 4

Match 25 – Ghani v OGDCL at LCCA Ground, Lahore

Ghani 232-8, 74 overs (Hussain Talat 71, Ali Razzaq 64; Aftab Ahmad 3-45, Mohammad Hasnain 3-53, Mohammad Amir Khan 2-56)

Match 26 – KRL v SNGPL at Shoaib Akhtar Cricket Stadium, Rawalpindi

KRL 151 all out, 50 overs (Shahzaib Khan 43, Sarmad Bhatti 31; Shehzad Gul 3-22, Shahnawaz Dahani 3-50, Muhammad Imran 2-26)

SNGPL 63-2, 18 overs (Sameer Minhas 40 not out)

Match 27 – MIT Solutions v PTV at Diamond Cricket Ground, Islamabad

MIT Solutions 370-6, 77.2 overs (Mohammad Farooq 130, Abuzar Tariq 98, Hasnain Nadeem 49; Khalil Ahmed 3-91)

Match 28 – SBP v Kingsmen Academy at National Ground, Islamabad

Kingsmen Academy 328-8, 84 overs (Saud Shakeel 79, Maaz Sadaqat 64, Usman Khan 62, Mohammad Shayan 61 not out; Shahid Aziz 2-34, Mohammad Abbas 2-39, Qasim Akram 2-81)