President's Trophy Final: Debutants Markhor Face Unbeaten SBP

Dr. Annelies De Vos · 2026-10-23

The President's Trophy final is set, and it's a matchup that's got cricket fans talking. State Bank of Pakistan (SBP) will take on debutants Markhor IT Solutions in the five-day final at the SBP ground in Karachi, starting October 25. It's the first first-class match of the season in Karachi, and it promises to be a cracker. ### How They Got Here SBP finished top of the eight-team table with 107 points, the only side to break the 100-point mark. They went unbeaten through the group stage, winning two and drawing five. Markhor, on the other hand, scraped through in second with 96 points, winning two and losing none. Not bad for a team playing their first-ever first-class season. Markhor's journey was anything but smooth. They didn't win any of their first four games, but something clicked in round five when they beat OGDCL by 75 runs. They followed that with a draw against SBP and a six-wicket win over Pakistan TV to seal their spot. Their promotion to the top tier came in July when they won the grade-II competition on first-innings lead over Kingsmen. ### The Debutants' Fairytale Markhor IT Solutions have been the story of the season. From grade-II champions to first-class finalists in a matter of months, they've defied expectations at every turn. Their squad may lack star power, but they've shown grit and teamwork in abundance. As one cricket analyst put it, "They play like a unit, not a bunch of individuals. That's their biggest strength." ### SBP's Unbeaten Run SBP, meanwhile, have been the model of consistency. Their only two wins came against Ghani and OGDCL, but they never looked like losing. Their bowling attack, led by seasoned campaigners, has been disciplined, and their batting has depth. They'll be favorites going into the final, but Markhor have already proven they can't be counted out. ### What Else Happened in the Final Round - Kingsmen secured promotion to next year's first-class President's Trophy with an 82-run win over Eshaal Associates. They'll join their sister team Kingsmen Academy, who finished third this season. - OGDCL finished bottom for the second year running and will be replaced by Kingsmen. OGDCL had been relegated last year but returned after WAPDA and Saahir Associates were removed for failing to meet regulations. - Sui Northern Gas Pipelines Limited (SNGPL) pushed OGDCL to the bottom with a four-wicket win over Khan Research Laboratories in Rawalpindi. Mohammad Rizwan, returning as captain, scored 64 in the first innings, while Abdul Samad remained unbeaten on 69 in the chase. - Imam-ul-Haq also made a comeback in the seventh round, scoring an unbeaten 200 as captain of OGDCL. Hussain Talat and Ali Razzaq hit centuries for Ghani to help them draw. ### Looking Ahead The final starts on October 25, and all eyes will be on Karachi. Can Markhor complete their fairytale? Or will SBP's experience and unbeaten record prevail? One thing's for sure: it's going to be a fascinating contest. Meanwhile, the Quaid-e-Azam Trophy begins on November 1, with 20 teams from 16 regions competing in gold and silver divisions. Domestic cricket in Pakistan is heating up, and the President's Trophy final is the perfect appetizer.