Markhor's Debut Final: Can They Upset Unbeaten SBP?

Dr. Annelies De Vos · 2026-10-23

The President's Trophy final is set, and it's a matchup that few saw coming. State Bank of Pakistan (SBP) and Markhor IT Solutions will face off in the five-day final starting October 25 at the SBP ground in Karachi. It's the first first-class match of the season in Karachi, and it promises to be a thriller. ### How They Got Here SBP finished the round-robin stage on top, unbeaten with 107 points. They won two matches and drew five, showing remarkable consistency. Markhor, on the other hand, are the surprise package. In their debut first-class season, they finished second with 96 points, winning two and drawing five. Their campaign started slowly, with no wins in the first four rounds. But a 75-run victory over OGDCL in round five turned things around. They followed that with a draw against SBP and a six-wicket win over Pakistan TV to seal their spot in the final. ### Markhor's Meteoric Rise Markhor's journey to the top tier is a story in itself. They were promoted in July after winning the grade-II competition based on a first-innings lead over Kingsmen. Now, they're one match away from lifting the trophy in their very first season among the elite. It's a remarkable achievement for a team that was playing second-division cricket just a few months ago. ### SBP's Unbeaten Run SBP have been the team to beat all season. Their only two wins came against Ghani and OGDCL, but their five draws show they're hard to defeat. With a solid batting lineup and a disciplined bowling attack, they'll be favorites heading into the final. But Markhor have already proven they can compete with the best, holding SBP to a draw in their previous encounter. ### The Relegation Battle While the finalists celebrate, OGDCL's season ended in disappointment. They finished at the bottom for the second consecutive year and will be replaced by Kingsmen, who secured promotion with an 82-run win over Eshaal Associates. Kingsmen will join their sister team, Kingsmen Academy, in next season's first-class competition. OGDCL's relegation was sealed after Sui Northern Gas Pipelines Limited (SNGPL) beat Khan Research Laboratories by four wickets in Rawalpindi. Mohammad Rizwan, returning as captain, scored 64 in the first innings, and Abdul Samad's unbeaten 69 guided them home in a chase of 191. ### Star Performances Imam-ul-Haq also made headlines in the seventh round, scoring an unbeaten 200 as captain of OGDCL. His innings was a lone bright spot in a tough season for his team. For Ghani, Hussain Talat and Ali Razzaq hit centuries to help their side secure a draw. These individual performances added spice to an already exciting competition. ### What's Next? The Quaid-e-Azam Trophy starts on November 1, with 20 teams from 16 regions competing in gold and silver divisions. But before that, all eyes will be on Karachi for the President's Trophy final. Will SBP complete an unbeaten season, or will Markhor cap their fairytale debut with a title? The five-day match begins on October 25, and cricket fans are in for a treat. > "Markhor have shown that with determination and teamwork, anything is possible. They've earned their place in the final, and now they have a chance to make history." – A cricket analyst. Stay tuned for more updates on this exciting clash and all the action from Pakistan's domestic cricket scene.