Pakistan team creates world record for lowest target defended in first-class cricket

Pakistan's Salman Mirza drops a catch of Sri Lanka's Janith Liyanage during the first Twenty20 international cricket match between Sri Lanka and Pakistan at the Rangiri Dambulla International Stadium in Dambulla on January 7, 2026. (AFP/File)
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Updated 17 January 2026
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Pakistan team creates world record for lowest target defended in first-class cricket

  • PTV dismissed Sui Northern Gas for 37 while defending a target of 40, winning the President Trophy
  • Previous record dated back to 1794, when England’s Oldfield defended a 41-run target against MCC

KARACHI: A Pakistan’s domestic team created a world record of defending the lowest target in all first-class cricket when they stopped the opposition in a chase of just 40 runs.

Pakistan Television (PTV), defending champions in the President Trophy, shot Sui Northern Gas (SNGPL) for a paltry 37 to win the match by a mere two runs on day three of the four-day game.

This becomes a new record in 253 years of first-class cricket, beating England’s Oldfield’s 1794 feat when they successfully defended 41 against MCC at the Lord’s Old Ground to win by six runs.

PTV’s head coach Mohammad Waseem praised his team’s historic effort.

“I am delighted with my team’s world record effort,” Waseem, a former Pakistan player, told AFP. “My team’s motto is to never give up, fight till the last ball.

“This is the not the first time, we have won all our three matches coming from well behind by remaining positive in all situations.”

The star-studded SNGPL batting led by Pakistan Test captain Shan Masood were bowled out in 19.4 overs with just one batter Saifullah Bangash crossing double figures with 14.

Masood was out without scoring while Test players, Mohammad Ali made six and spinner Sajid Khan just three.
Pakistan’s international players Omair Bin Yousuf made six and Abdul Samad five.

For the winners, left-arm spinner Ali Usman wrecked the batting with 6-9 and pacer Ammad Butt took 4-28 — the only two bowlers used in their second innings.

SNGPL’s head coach is former Pakistan Test skipper Misbah-ul-Haq with another former captain Azhar Ali their batting coach.
 


Pakistan-origin fintech holds workforce pay workshop in Saudi Arabia

Updated 6 sec ago
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Pakistan-origin fintech holds workforce pay workshop in Saudi Arabia

  • Riyadh event promotes earned wage access to support employee liquidity
  • Abhi Saudi says flexible pay models can boost retention and productivity

KARACHI: Pakistan-origin fintech Abhi Saudi hosted a workforce-focused workshop in Riyadh, the company said in a statement on Thursday, bringing together senior business leaders to discuss employee financial well-being and flexible pay solutions as Saudi Arabia advances reforms under Vision 2030.

Abhi, a financial technology firm founded in Pakistan and operating in the Gulf through Alraedah Digital Solutions, provides earned wage access (EWA) and small and medium enterprise (SME) financing solutions.

EWA allows employees to withdraw a portion of their already-earned salary before the official payday, helping them manage short-term liquidity needs without relying on traditional credit.

Abhi partners with thousands of firms across the region, offering payroll-linked financial services to employers and their staff.

“The event focused on modern workforce strategies and flexible pay solutions, highlighting how financial well-being initiatives such as Earned Wage Access (EWA) are supporting improved employee engagement, retention, and productivity while aligning with the objectives of Saudi Vision 2030,” the company said.

The “Wages Well-being Workshop” brought together professionals from sectors including telecommunications, banking, consulting and human resources to examine how changing workforce expectations are influencing compensation models and employer responsibilities amid the Kingdom’s broader economic transformation.

According to Abhi, discussions centered on the organizational impact of rigid salary structures, the link between financial stress and workplace performance and how flexible pay models could enhance financial stability without adding operational costs for employers.

Saudi Arabia’s Vision 2030 reform agenda seeks to diversify the economy, strengthen private-sector participation and modernize labor market practices, with financial inclusion and workforce productivity forming key pillars of the strategy.