The President’s Trophy 2026-27 final, a prime event in Pakistan’s first-class cricket, will see State Bank of Pakistan (SBP) face off against Markhor IT Solutions (MITS) starting from 25th October at the SBP ground in Karachi. This five-day contest is the culmination of a fiercely contested season.
Both teams secured their spots in the final following the conclusion of the round-robin stage, where they dominated the eight-team leaderboard. MITS, enjoying their maiden appearance in this prestigious competition, displayed remarkable resilience. Initially struggling without a single win in their first four matches, they rallied in the latter half, achieving a key victory against Oil and Gas Development Corporation Limited (OGDCL) in the fifth round, drawing with SBP in the next, and finally defeating Pakistan TV (PTV) in their concluding match.
Having earned their place in the President’s Trophy by winning the grade-II competition, MITS’s journey exemplifies a tale of grit and determination. On the other hand, table-toppers SBP remain undefeated this season, securing two victories and drawing in five games. They lead the points table with a solid 107 points, proving their consistency and prowess in the competition.
Meanwhile, there’s been a reshuffle among the teams with Kingsmen and their academy both advancing to the top tier for the upcoming season, replacing OGDCL, which failed to secure a win, thus facing relegation. OGDCL’s descent comes amidst organizational changes initiated by the PCB due to non-compliance issues.
In a pivotal match, Sui Northern Gas Pipelines Limited (SNGPL) avoided relegation through a crucial victory against Khan Research Laboratories (KRL), bolstered by the return of captain Mohammad Rizwan. Rizwan, embroiled in a cybercrimes investigation, was pivotal with a score of 64 in the first innings and SNGPL finished strong thanks to Abdul Samad’s unbeaten 69.
The cricketing stage also welcomed back Imam-ul-Haq, involved in the same investigation, who marked his return with an impressive unbeaten double century, leading OGDCL. However, a draw was the result courtesy of centuries from Ghani’s Hussain Talat and young Ali Razzaq, echoing the talent heritage from his father, Abdul Razzaq, the former all-rounder.
This finale in Karachi is notable as the first first-class game of the season in the city, with prior matches taking place in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa and Punjab. Following this, the cricketing calendar continues with the Quaid-e-Azam Trophy kicking off on November 1, welcoming 20 teams from across 16 regions into a gold and silver divisional structure.
