JDW continues strong form in President’s Trophy Grade-II

JDW Continues Strong Form in President’s Trophy Grade-II

JDW maintained their impressive run of form in the President’s Trophy Grade-II competition by securing first-inning lead points against PHA Rawalpindi in a drawn match at the National Cricket Ground on Saturday.

This was JDW’s fifth match and the second time they have earned first-innings lead points in a drawn encounter. They have also recorded three outright wins — against OneTen Communication, JJ Consultancy Group, and Army.

Following a washout of the second day due to inclement weather, PHA Rawalpindi resumed their first innings at 220 for nine and were bowled out for 228. Irfan Elahi claimed the final wicket to finish with figures of 3 for 42.

In reply, JDW found themselves in trouble at 119 for five. However, a crucial 110-run sixth-wicket partnership between wicketkeeper-batter Mohammad Zulkifal (57) and Haroon Arshad (54) helped the team recover and secure valuable first-innings lead points. JDW were eventually bowled out for 282 in 73.1 overs. Among the top-order contributors, Mohammad Zubair scored 40, while Ali Imran and Mohammad Irfan chipped in with 24 runs each.

For PHA Rawalpindi, left-arm spinner Najam Naseer impressed with figures of 4 for 37 in 15 overs. Abdul Basit took 3 for 60, and Mohammad Saqib claimed 2 for 65.

JDW will play their sixth and final league match against CDA at the Diamond Cricket Ground. The top two teams from each of the four groups will advance to the quarter-finals, with further details to be announced by the PCB next week.

Scores in brief (day 3 of 3):

PHA Rawalpindi 228 all-out, 61.4 overs (Wasim Khan 84, Mohammad Hunain Khan 45, Abdul Basit 23; Irfan Elahi 3-42, Majid Ali 3-50) and 24-0

JDW 282 all-out, 73.1 overs (Mohammad Zulkifal 57, Haroon Arshad 54, Mohammad Zubair 40, Mohammad Junaid 31, Ali Imran 24, Mohammad Irfan 24; Najam Naseer 4-37, Abdul Basit 3-60, Mohammad Saqib 2-65)

Result: Match drawn, JDW get first innings lead points