President's Trophy Final: State Bank vs Markhor – Who Will Take the Crown?

Dr. Annelies De Vos · 2026-10-23

The President's Trophy final is set, and it's shaping up to be a cracker. State Bank of Pakistan and Markhor IT Solutions will lock horns at the SBP ground in Karachi starting October 25. It's the first first-class match of the season in Karachi, and both teams have earned their spot after a grueling round-robin stage. ### How They Got Here State Bank of Pakistan finished top of the eight-team table with 107 points – the only side to break the 100-point mark. They went unbeaten, winning two and drawing five. Markhor IT Solutions, on the other hand, finished second with 96 points, including two wins. But their journey was anything but straightforward. Markhor, playing their debut first-class season, lost none but won only two of their first four. Then came a 75-run win over OGDCL in round five, a draw with State Bank in round six, and a six-wicket victory over Pakistan TV to seal their place in the final. Not bad for a team that was only promoted in July after winning the grade-II competition. ### A Season of Firsts This final is significant for another reason: it's the first first-class fixture of the season to be held in Karachi. All previous matches were played in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa and Punjab. So, the final is a homecoming of sorts for cricket fans in Karachi. Meanwhile, the Quaid-e-Azam Trophy is set to begin on November 1, with 20 teams from 16 regions competing in gold and silver divisions. That's a lot of cricket to look forward to. ### Promotion and Relegation Drama While State Bank and Markhor celebrate, Kingsmen are celebrating promotion to next year's first-class President's Trophy after an 82-run win over Eshaal Associates. They'll join their sister team, Kingsmen Academy, who finished third this season. Unfortunately, OGDCL finish at the bottom for the second year running and will be relegated. OGDCL had been relegated last year but returned after the PCB removed WAPDA and Saahir Associates for failing to meet regulations. This time, their stay is over. Sui Northern Gas Pipelines Limited pushed them 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, and Abdul Samad's unbeaten 69 guided them home in a chase of 191. ### Star Performances 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, helping them secure a draw. These performances remind us of the depth of talent in Pakistan's domestic circuit. ### What to Expect in the Final So, what can we expect from the final? State Bank will be riding high on their unbeaten run, while Markhor will be eager to prove that their debut season is no fluke. The five-day format gives both teams a chance to showcase their skills. With stars like Rizwan and Imam-ul-Haq in the mix, expect some quality cricket. > "Cricket is a game of uncertainties, and that's what makes it beautiful." – Unknown One thing's for sure: the President's Trophy final promises to be a thrilling encounter. Will State Bank's experience prevail, or will Markhor's fairy-tale run continue? We'll find out soon enough. For more cricket news and updates, stay tuned.