State Bank of Pakistan (SBP) and Sui Northern Gas Pipelines Limited (SNGPL) will square off in the final of the 2024 President’s Cup at the Iqbal Stadium in Faisalabad.
SBP easily overcame Pakistan Television in the second semi-final at Jinnah Stadium in Gujranwala to book their place in the marquee match-up.
After amassing 342 runs while batting first courtesy of Rameez Aziz (57) and Mohammad Irfan Khan (56), SBP managed to overcome a sluggish start with the ball to eventually prevail by 71 runs.
Sahibzada Farhan (75) and Imama-ul-Haq (63) threatened to make a mockery of the target before Niaz Khan and Kashif Bhatti turned the game on its head with three wickets apiece. A late flurry of 66 by the tournament’s leading scorer Faheem Ashraf gave his side hope before any chance of a comeback was snuffed out by the medium pace of Sirajuddin.
Meanwhile, earlier, the defending President’s Cup champions SNGPL reached the summit clash with an equally impressive 74-run win over WAPDA in the first semifinal.
Hasan Rizwan led his team in scoring with a spectacular 136 with a solid 46-run contribution from Hasan Nawaz.
In a chase of 334, WAPDA folded for 259 with Bilawal Bhatti, Hasan Nawaz, and Hasan Rizwan picking up two wickets each. The final will take place today at 13:45 PST.
