The President’s Cup 50-over tournament commenced with a thrilling tied match between Water and Power Development Authority (WAPDA) and Khan Research Laboratories (KRL) at the Shoaib Akhtar Cricket Stadium in Rawalpindi on Wednesday.

Batting first, WAPDA posted 258 for six in their allotted 50 overs. In turn, KRL needed two runs off the final delivery for victory, but managed only one run to finish at 258 for eight. As there was no Super Over, points were equally shared between the two sides.

The other match at the Abbottabad Cricket Stadium was rained off without a ball being bowled.

At the Shoaib Akhtar Cricket Stadium, Bismillah Khan top-scored for WAPDA with 86 (83, 10x4, 1x6), while Khalid Usman contributed 41 not out, Awais Khan 28, and Muhammad Akhlaq 27. KRL’s Kashif Ali took two wickets for 42 runs for KRL.

When KRL batted, Sharoon Siraj and Waqar Ahmed hit half-centuries. Sharoon’s 61-ball 71 included eight fours and two sixes, while Waqar hit five fours in an 82-ball 52. Rohail Nazir (42), Aamer Azmat (28), and Maaz Sadaqat (22) were the other notable run-scorers.

For WAPDA, Akif Javed and Ali Raza took three wickets apiece, conceding 51 and 56 runs, respectively.

Scores in brief:

WAPDA vs KRL match tied at Shoaib Akhtar Cricket Stadium, Rawalpindi

WAPDA 258-6, 50 overs (Bismillah Khan 86, Khalid Usman 41 not out, Awais Khan 28, Muhammad Akhlaq 27, Ahmed Shehzad 25; Kashif Ali 2-42)

KRL 258-8, 50 overs (Sharoon Siraj 71, Waqar Ahmed 52, Rohail Nazir 42, Aamer Azmat 28, Maaz Sadaqat 22; Akif Javed 3-51, Ali Raza 3-56)

PTV vs SBP match at the Abbottabad Cricket Stadium abandoned without a ball being bowled