Pakistan Television (PTV) created history in Karachi by defending the lowest target ever recorded in first-class cricket, bowling out Sui Northern Gas Pipelines Limited (SNGPL) for 37 while defending just 40.
The extraordinary result came in Match 15 of the Presidents Trophy Grade-I at the National Stadium and eclipsed a 231-year-old world record. Until now, the lowest successfully defended target in first-class cricket had been 41, achieved by Oldfield against MCC at Lord’s Old Ground in 1794.
PTV captain Shamyl Hussain won the toss and opted to bat first, but his side struggled on a difficult surface. Despite Amad Butt’s unbeaten 46, PTV were dismissed for 166, with Shehzad Gul leading the SNGPL attack with figures of 4 for 40.
SNGPL, captained by Pakistan Test skipper Shan Masood, recovered strongly in reply. Wicketkeeper-batter Saifullah Bangash anchored the innings with 71, lifting his side from 129 for 7 to 238. Ali Usman (4 for 66), Amad Butt (3 for 42) and Israr Hussain (3 for 66) shared the wickets, but SNGPL still secured a 72-run first-innings lead.
PTV’s second innings proved even more dramatic. Resuming the third day on 99 for 5, they added only 12 runs before collapsing to 111. The final five wickets fell for just five runs in eight balls, as Shehzad Gul (5 for 28) and Sajid Khan (3 for 28) tore through the tail, leaving SNGPL a seemingly straightforward target of 40.
What followed was one of the most astonishing collapses in first-class history. Ali Usman and Amad Butt bowled unchanged, reducing SNGPL to 22 for 7. Although Bangash made 14 to briefly offer hope, SNGPL were eventually skittled for 37 in 19.4 overs.
Usman finished with remarkable figures of 6 for 9, while Butt claimed 4 for 28, sealing a two-run victory for PTV and rewriting the record books.
The match not only became the lowest-target defence in first-class cricket but also the lowest-scoring and one of the quickest games of the ongoing Presidents Trophy Grade-I season.
