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 finance chief calls for stronger emerging market voice during Saudi conference

Updated 12 February 2026
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Pakistan finance chief calls for stronger emerging market voice during Saudi conference

  • Aurangzeb tells Saudi state media developing economies must assume larger global role
  • Minister says AlUla conference can strengthen coordination among emerging economies

KARACHI: Pakistan’s Finance Minister Muhammad Aurangzeb on Thursday called for developing economies to play a greater role in shaping global economic governance in an interview on the sidelines of the AlUla Conference for Emerging Market Economies in Saudi Arabia.

The conference, hosted by the Kingdom’s Finance Ministry, brings together top government functionaries, central bank governors and policymakers from emerging markets to discuss debt sustainability, macroeconomic coordination and structural reforms amid global economic uncertainty.

In a conversation with the Saudi Press Agency, Aurangzeb described the conference as a timely platform for dialogue at a moment of heightened geopolitical tensions, trade fragmentation and rapid technological change, including advances in artificial intelligence.

“It is not merely about discussions but about translating deliberations into concrete policy actions and execution over the course of the year,” he said, according to a statement circulated by the Finance Division in Islamabad.

The minister said emerging markets’ growing share of global output and growth should be matched by greater influence in international decision-making.

He noted these economies must strengthen collective dialogue and coordinated policy responses to address shared challenges, adding that the global landscape had evolved significantly since the inaugural edition of the conference.

Aurangzeb expressed confidence that the outcomes of the AlUla Conference would contribute to strengthening coordination among emerging economies and reinforcing their collective voice in shaping a more inclusive and resilient global economic order, the statement added.