Pakistan Television (PTV) etched their name into cricket folklore by breaking a 232-year-old first-class record, securing a sensational two-run victory over Sui Northern Gas Pipelines Limited (SNGPL) in the President’s Trophy Grade-I at the National Bank Stadium, Karachi on Saturday.
In one of the most astonishing turnarounds in the game’s long history, PTV successfully defended a target of just 40 runs, becoming the first team in the 253-year history of first-class cricket to achieve such a feat.
The contest had appeared firmly in SNGPL’s control for most of the match.
PTV were dismissed for 166 in their first innings, with skipper Amad Butt’s unbeaten 46 standing out as the lone resistance.
SNGPL’s bowlers dominated proceedings, led by Shehzad Gul’s four-wicket haul, while Shahnawaz Dahani and Sajid Khan claimed two wickets each.
SNGPL responded strongly with the bat, posting 238 to take a commanding 72-run lead. Wicketkeeper-batter Saifullah Bangash played a vital counter-attacking knock of 71 after the side had slipped to 94-6. For PTV, Ali Usman impressed with four wickets, while Amad Butt and Israr Hussain picked up three apiece to keep the match alive.
PTV’s second innings, however, faltered badly as they were bundled out for 111, leaving SNGPL a seemingly routine target of 40.
Once again, Shehzad Gul was the chief destroyer, ripping through the batting line-up with a five-wicket haul.
PTV staged an extraordinary fightback, spearheaded by a magical spell from left-arm spinner Ali Usman, who ran through the SNGPL batting with remarkable figures of 6 for 9.
Amad Butt provided relentless support from the other end, claiming the remaining four wickets as SNGPL collapsed dramatically and were bowled out for just 37.
The stunning result handed PTV a historic victory and consigned SNGPL to an unwanted world record.
The previous lowest successful defence in first-class cricket dated back to 1794, when Oldfield defended 41 runs against the Marylebone Cricket Club at Lord’s Old Ground.
This mark had stood untouched for over two centuries.
PTV's head coach Mohammad Waseem praised his team's historic effort.
"I am delighted with my team's world record effort," Waseem, a former Pakistan player, told AFP. "My team's motto is to never give up, fight till the last ball.
"This is the not the first time, we have won all our three matches coming from well behind by remaining positive in all situations."
The star-studded SNGPL batting led by Pakistan Test captain Shan Masood were bowled out in 19.4 overs with just one batter Saifullah Bangash crossing double figures with 14.
Masood was out without scoring while Test players, Mohammad Ali made six and spinner Sajid Khan just three.
Pakistan's international players Omair Bin Yousuf made six and Abdul Samad five.
For the winners, left-arm spinner Ali Usman wrecked the batting with 6-9 and pacer Ammad Butt took 4-28 - the only two bowlers used in their second innings innings.
SNGPL's head coach is former Pakistan Test skipper Misbah-ul-Haq with another former captain Azhar Ali their batting coach.