President’s Trophy Final: State Bank and Markhor to Clash in Karachi

State Bank of Pakistan (SBP) and Markhor IT Solutions (MITS) will compete for the President’s Trophy 2026–27 title in Karachi. The five-day first-class final is scheduled for October 24–28 at the SBP Sports Complex, following the conclusion of the seven-round group stage.

SBP topped the eight-team points table with 107 points, winning two matches and drawing five. The team remained unbeaten throughout the group stage.

MITS finished second with 96 points after two wins and five other matches that included draws. The team began its first-class campaign without a win in its first four games. It then defeated Oil and Gas Development Company Limited (OGDCL) by 75 runs, drew against SBP and beat Pakistan Television (PTV) by six wickets in the final round.

Markhor Makes First-Class Final in Debut Season

MITS earned promotion to the first-class competition in July after winning the President’s Trophy Grade-II title on the basis of a first-innings lead over Kingsmen.

The final will also mark the first first-class President’s Trophy match of the season in Karachi. Earlier rounds took place at venues across Punjab and Khyber Pakhtunkhwa.

Kingsmen Earn Promotion as OGDCL Face Relegation

Kingsmen will join Kingsmen Academy in next season’s top-tier competition after securing promotion from Grade-II. OGDCL, meanwhile, finished at the bottom of the table for a second consecutive season and face relegation.

Sui Northern Gas Pipelines Limited (SNGPL) avoided the same fate with a four-wicket win over Khan Research Laboratories (KRL). Captain Mohammad Rizwan scored 64 in the first innings, while Abdul Samad remained unbeaten on 69 to help chase the target.

OGDCL captain Imam-ul-Haq also returned to domestic cricket and scored an unbeaten 200 against Ghani, but centuries from Hussain Talat and Ali Razzaq helped Ghani secure a draw.

The President’s Trophy will be followed by the Quaid-e-Azam Trophy, scheduled to begin on November 1. The next first-class competition will feature 20 teams from 16 regions across Gold and Silver divisions.