Babar, Saud, and Naseem bolster departmental squads ahead of President’s Trophy round 3
Babar, Saud, and Naseem bolster departmental squads ahead of President’s Trophy round 3
By Nawaz Gohar ; The President’s Trophy Grade-I is set for a dramatic surge in intensity as the third round kicks off this Thursday, 24 September, across grounds in Islamabad, Abbottabad, and Peshawar.
The competitive landscape of Pakistan’s premier first-class departmental tournament has received a massive boost with the arrival of seasoned Test international heavyweights and dynamic Pakistan U19 talent.
The spotlight shifts directly to the Abbottabad Cricket Stadium, where Oil and Gas Development Company Limited (OGDCL) has reinforced its lineup with superstar batter Babar Azam alongside Razaullah ahead of their heavyweight clash against Khan Research Laboratories (KRL). KRL, determined to counter OGDCL’s firepower, has countered by calling up mystery spinner Usman Tariq.
Meanwhile, Sui Northern Gas Pipelines Limited (SNGPL) is determined to mount a strong comeback after suffering a setback against Ghani in Round 2. To turn their fortunes around, SNGPL has assembled a formidable unit, welcoming red-ball speedster Naseem Shah and elegant top-order batter Abdullah Shafique, complemented by an exciting youth trio from the Pakistan U19 roster: Farhan Yousuf, Abdul Subhan, and Hamza Zahoor.
Other departments have made strategic additions to fortify their ranks ahead of the critical weekend match-ups:
Markhor IT Solutions: Fast bowler Aamir Jamal steps in to revitalize a pace attack that endured a grueling 158-over fielding stint against KRL in the previous round.
Kingsmen Academy: Seeking to patch up a batting lineup that faltered against OGDCL, the Tayyab Arif-led team welcomes elite Test batter Saud Shakeel into the middle order. They are set to face Pakistan Television (PTV) at Islamabad’s Diamond Cricket Ground.
Pakistan Television (PTV): Coming off back-to-back draws, PTV relies on record-breaking left-arm spinner Ali Usman—fresh off a historic 2025–26 season—to secure their maiden win of the campaign.
State Bank of Pakistan (SBP): Abdullah Fazal joins SBP to solidify their batting core ahead of a tough test against Ghani.
Ghani: Already boasting a rampant bowling attack, Ghani adds extra firepower with young fast bowler Ubaid Shah. The squad’s strength is slated to rise even further, with international spinners Shadab Khan and Noman Ali expected to link up ahead of Round 4.
With high-caliber international experience blending seamlessly with elite emerging talent, Round 3 promises high-octane red-ball action as teams push hard for early positioning in the tournament standings.
