LAHORE: MIT Solutions qualified for the President’s Trophy Grade-I after their four-day non-first-class final against Kingsmen Academy ended in a draw at the Abbottabad Cricket Ground on Thursday – with MIT Solutions claiming the title on the strength of an 82-run first innings lead.

Holding that advantage, MIT Solutions sensibly opted against chasing down a 304-run target in 75 overs and batted out the remaining time to finish at 208 for four, with Abdullah Shafique unbeaten on 60 and Zahid Mansoor not out on 40.

Kingsmen Academy had set the tone by batting first and posting 247, an innings built almost entirely around Muhammad Shayan’s commanding 142 from 179 balls, studded with 16 fours and six sixes. Opener Affan Ishaq contributed 31, but it was Shayan’s innings that kept Kingsmen Academy afloat. MIT Solutions’ bowlers shared the wickets efficiently — Muhammad Irfan taking four for 65, Khubaib Khalil three for 61 and Muhammad Imran Jnr two for 44.

MIT Solutions then took firm control with a first innings reply of 329, built on a series of solid contributions throughout the order. Abdullah Shafique top-scored with a composed 87 from 115 balls with nine fours and two sixes, while Zahid Mansoor (50), Samama Riaz (44), Husnain Nadeem (44) and Riazullah (34) all weighed in. Junaid Ahmad was Kingsmen Academy’s standout bowler with five for 82 from 19.2 overs, while Faizan Ghani claimed three for 74.

Trailing by 82 runs, Kingsmen Academy needed a big second innings to set up a winning chance – and they delivered one. They declared at 385 for six in 82 overs after resuming the final day at 271 for five in 72 overs. Tayyab Arif (79 off 74 balls, strike-rate 106) and Rana Faseehullah (71 off 44 balls, strike-rate 161) were the most aggressive contributors, while Muhammad Shayan (63), Muhammad Arshad (63) and Najab Khan (59) also made telling contributions. Faizan Ghani backed up his first innings three for 74 with two for 35.

The target of 304 in 75 overs was always a tall order, and MIT Solutions never felt compelled to chase it. Husnain Nadeem (26) and Afaq Ahmed (40) provided a steady 80-run opening stand, before Abdullah Shafique and Zahid Mansoor came together to add an unbroken 85 for the fifth wicket, steering their side safely to 208 for four and confirming the title.

Abdullah Shafique was named player of the match for his contributions of 87 and an unbeaten 60 across both innings.

MIT Solutions will now compete in the President’s Trophy Grade-I first-class competition as well as the President’s Cup One-Day tournament in the 2026-27 season. They also received a cash award of PKR 5 million for winning the tournament, with Kingsmen Academy receiving PKR 2.5 million.

Scores in brief:

FINAL (29 June to 2 July) – MIT Solutions drew with Kingsmen Academy, won on first innings lead; Abbottabad Cricket Ground

Kingsmen Academy 247 all out, 65.1 overs (Muhammad Shayan 142, Affan Ishaq 31; Muhammad Irfan 4-65, Khubaib Khalil 3-61, Muhammad Imran Jnr 2-44) and 385-6d, 82 overs (Tayyab Arif 79, Rana Faseehullah 71, Muhammad Shayan 63, Muhammad Arshad 63, Najab Khan 59; Zahid Mansoor 2-45, Samama Riaz 2-127)

MIT Solutions 329 all out, 69.2 overs (Abdullah Shafique 87, Zahid Mansoor 50, Samama Riaz 44, Husnain Nadeem 44, Riazullah 34; Junaid Ahmad 5-82, Faizan Ghani 3-74) and 208-4, 75 overs (Abdullah Shafique 60 not out, Zahid Mansoor 40 not out, Afaq Ahmed 40, Husnain Nadeem 26; Muhammad Faizan Ghani 2-35)

Player of the match – Abdullah Shafique (MIT Solutions – 87 and 60 not out)