Abbottabad, 31 May 2025: Sahir Associates’ opening batter Fahad Usman struck a brilliant century against MIT Solutions on day three of the President’s Trophy Grade-II final as the former took a mammoth 504-run lead in the second innings on Saturday at the Abbottabad Cricket Stadium.
After resuming the day from overnight score of 52 for no loss in the second innings, Sahir Associates were 367-7 in 78 overs at stumps. With Sunday, 1 June being the fourth and last day, Sahir Associates will be declared winners based on first innings lead if the game end in a draw and will eventually qualify for the Grade-I departmental first-class tournament.
Fahad Usman, who was 36 not out at the start of the day, faced 191 balls for his 158 hitting 13 fours and eight sixes. His fellow opening batter Khawaja Muhammad Abdullah (31, 31b, 5x4s) departed after he was found obstructing the field with the first-wicket stand worth 70 runs.
While Sahir Associates ransacked runs, it was Fahad who kept one end intact by stitching valuable stand of 90 for the third wicket with Mohammad Saleem (36, 87b, 4x4s, 1x6) and 118 runs with Ahmer Ashfaq (51, 71b, 7x4s) for the fourth wicket.
MIT Solutions bagged four wickets for 43 runs after Sahir Associates were 324-3 at one stage. For MIT, Kaleem Ullah and Raza Ullah dismissed two batters each.
At the start of day four, Mohsin Ali (16 not out, 35b, 1x4) and Shahid Ali (1 not out) will be on the crease.
Scores in brief:
Final – Day 3: Sahir Associates lead by 504 runs in the seond innings against MIT Solutions at Abbottabad Cricket Stadium
Sahir Associates 272 all out, 66.2 overs (Muhammad Saleem 58, Ahmer Ashfaq 43, Mohsin Khan 34, Muhammad Kashif 27, Fahad Usman 26, Asim Ali Nasir 25; Raza Ullah 4-41, Shahab Khan 3-58) and 367-7, 78 overs (Fahad Usman 158, Ahmer Ashfaq 51, Muhammad Saleem 36, Khawaja Muhammad Abdullah 31, Asim Ali Nasir 26, Muhammad Kashif 23; Kaleem Ullah 2-58, Raza Ullah 2-106)
MIT Solutions 135 all out, 41.5 overs (Mohammad Tayyab 36 not out, Zain Ishaq 26, Muhammad Bilal 21; Shahid Ali 4-60, Mohsin Khan 2-4, Muhammad Bilawal 2-27, Khan Zeb 2-30)
