A 232-year old record broken in Pakistan’s first-class cricket

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LAHORE: A 232-year-old record in first-class cricket was shattered in Karachi the other day as Pakistan Television (PTV) pulled off the lowest successful run defence in the history of the game, defending a target of just 40 to beat Sui Northern Gas Pipelines Limited (SNGPL) by two runs in the President’s Trophy.
No team had ever successfully defended a smaller total in first-class cricket. The previous mark had stood since 1794, when Oldfield defended 41 against Marylebone Cricket Club (MCC) at the Lord’s Old Ground, winning by six runs.
On a sharply deteriorating pitch in Karachi, PTV bowled SNGPL out for 37 while defending 40, sealing a remarkable victory against a side captained by Pakistan’s current Test skipper Shan Masood. Left-arm spinner Ali Usman, the leading wicket-taker in this season’s Quaid-e-Azam Trophy, led the collapse with figures of 6 for 9, while fast bowler Amad Butt claimed the remaining four wickets.
The match was part of a President’s Trophy season marked by low scores and rapid results, although the opening two innings followed a more conventional pattern. PTV were dismissed for 166 in their first innings, before SNGPL replied with 238 to take a commanding 72-run lead.
As conditions worsened, PTV were bowled out for 111 in their second innings, leaving SNGPL a modest target that appeared to set up a straightforward victory. Instead, disciplined bowling and mounting pressure triggered a dramatic collapse, culminating in one of the most extraordinary defences in the sport’s long history.
The win lifted PTV to second place in the standings, while SNGPL slipped to third. PTV have now won three of their four matches, while SNGPL have two wins and two losses. The top two teams will qualify directly for the final, scheduled to be played on Feb. 12.