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A cricket record that was set 232 years ago was recently broken in Karachi. Pakistan Television (PTV) had defended a target of 40 runs against Sui Northern Gas Pipelines Limited (SNGPL), and won by two runs in the President's Trophy. This becomes the lowest target ever defended in history in first-class cricket. The previous record was set in the year 1794 when Oldfield defended 41 against MCC at Lord's Old Ground.

PTV bowled out SNGPL for 37 to end the match. Left-arm spinner Ali Usman took 6 for 9, while fast bowler Amad Butt took the other four wickets. The moment shocked many because SNGPL seemed to be on its way to winning this contest after leading in the first innings.

The Game That Acquired the Record Moment

The first two innings proceeded normally for first-class cricket. PTV batted first and made 166. Shehzad Gul was the key architect for SNGPL, as he ended the inning with 4 for 40. Butt top-scored for PTV with an unconquered 46. In reply, SNGPL posted 238. Saifullah Bangash scored 71 to add much-needed runs from 129 for 7. Butt, Israr Hussain, and Ali Usman shared the wickets for PTV.

PTV ended Day 2 at 99 for 5 and led by only 27 runs. On Day 3, they lost their last five wickets for just five runs in an unbelievable eight balls. Wicket-wicket-four-wicket-dot-leg-bye-wicket-wicket is the ball-by-ball line. Gul took 5 for 28 and Sajid Khan took 3 for 28. SNGPL needed only 40 runs to win.

PTV Makes History With Magical Bowling

Now PTV had a target to defend which has only once before been attempted for defense in 1794. That old record was defending 41. But PTV did it. Butt (4 for 28) and Usman (6 for 9) bowled unchanged. At one point SNGPL were 22 for 7 before Bangash scored 4 to give some hope, but he fell as the ninth wicket. The final score was 37 all out in 19.4 overs. PTV won by two runs and shattered a record that was over two centuries old.

There have been many low scores this year in the President's Trophy, largely due to pitch conditions. The lowest first-class total ever made on Pakistan soil remains 27, which were made on two previous occasions. Up until now, the lowest defended target in the 21st century was 64. But this record now stands far lower.

Lowest Targets Defended in First-Class Cricket

Target Score Bowling Side Batting Side Venue Season
40 37 PTV SNGPL Karachi 2025/26
41 34 Oldfield MCC Lord’s (Old) 1794
42 34 Eastern Province Border East London 1946/47
44 39 England Kent & Sussex Lord’s 1856
49 32 Kent Sussex Hawkhurst 1825
51 42 East Kent West Kent Coxheath 1789
51 26 MCC England Lord’s 1877
52 27 MCC Kent Lord’s 1856
53 46 South North Scarborough 1891
56 22 Kent Sussex Sevenoaks 1828

This article first appeared on CricketGully and was syndicated with permission.

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