PCB modifies playing conditions for President's Trophy

KARACHI: The Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) has modified the playing conditions for the departmental first-class cricket tournament, the "President's Trophy," which commenced in Karachi on Saturday.

The alterations to the playing conditions have sparked discussions and critiques from various sectors, as they deviate from the traditional regulations observed in first-class cricket worldwide.

One significant move is restricting teams' innings to 80 overs, against the customary practice of unrestricted innings in first-class cricket. Under the revised playing conditions, both teams will be limited to 80 overs in their first innings, while there will be no overs restriction in the second innings.

Teams scoring 350 or more runs will earn a batting bonus point, a bonus point will be awarded to the bowling side if they manage to dismiss the opponent within the stipulated 80 overs.

Notably, a unique provision in the revised conditions says that if the captain of the batting side chooses to declare the innings before completing 80 overs, the bowling side will be awarded the bonus point.

Former test cricketer and commentator Bazid Khan has publicly expressed criticism of changing the playing conditions in first-class cricket.

Meanwhile, on the inaugural day of the President Trophy, both State Bank and SNGPL gained bonus points due to their performances against PTV and Ghani Glass, respectively.

At the SBP sports complex, PTV was bowled out for 66 runs, with State Bank's Mohammad Abbas claiming 6 wickets, conceding just 19 runs in 11 overs. In response, State Bank concluded day one at 201 for 1, with opener Zain Abbas scoring an unbeaten century (109) and Umar Amin remaining unbeaten at 69.

SBP secured 4 bonus points on the first day, with 1 point for bowling out the opponent and 3 points for taking the first innings lead. They now have the opportunity to earn an additional bonus point as they continue their batting on Sunday.

At the National Bank Stadium, SNGPL secured a batting bonus point by scoring 371 runs in 80 overs for the loss of 7 wickets. Abid Ali top-scored with 90, Asad Shafiq contributed 81, Sahibzada Farhan scored 67, and Omair Bin Yousaf added 56 runs, while Mohammad Rameez of Ghani Glass claimed 6 wickets.

At the UBL sports complex, despite centuries from Iftikhar Ahmed and Mohammad Saleem for WAPDA, the team fell short of securing a bonus point. WAPDA posted 322 runs for the loss of 6 wickets in 80 overs, with Iftekhar Ahmed scoring 155 off 180 and Mohammad Saleem adding 117.