KARACHI, Pakistan: A Pakistani team on Saturday created a first-class cricket record when they won a two-inning match after setting their opponents a target of only 40 runs to win.
Pakistan Television (PTV), the President Trophy holders, led by just 39 after their second innings but bowled out Sui Northern Gas (SNGPL) for a meagre 37 to win by two runs on day three of the four-day game.
The feat eclipsed a 231-year-old record set in England in 1794.
The previous record was set at Lord’s Old Ground in London in 1794 when Oldfield successfully defended a target of 41 to beat MCC to win by six runs.
Pakistan Television creates a world record by successfully defending a target of just 40 against SNGPL. It is the lowest total ever defended in the 253-year history of first-class cricket anywhere in the world.@TararAttaullah @aaliaaaliya @ADNANMALIK1000 @MuhammadWasim77 pic.twitter.com/DEPKLgdDtY
— PTV Sports (@PTVSp0rts) January 17, 2026
PTV, who had taken a narrow lead of 39 runs after their second innings, dismissed SNGPL in just 19.4 overs in a dramatic collapse that stunned domestic cricket followers.
“I am delighted with my team’s world-record effort,” PTV head coach Mohammad Waseem, a former Pakistan international, said.
40 to defend against Ferrari ? No problem !
Proud of you boys ❤️ #PTVvSNGPL pic.twitter.com/m952pt7hJu— Muhammad Wasim (@MuhammadWasim77) January 17, 2026
“Our motto is to never give up and fight till the last ball. We have won all three of our matches this season after coming from well behind by staying positive in all situations.”
Match summary
Batting first, PTV were dismissed for 166 in their opening innings. SNGPL replied strongly with 238, taking a 72-run first-innings lead.
PTV then struggled in their second innings and were bowled out for just 111, leaving SNGPL a seemingly modest target of 40 runs to win.
However, what followed was one of the most extraordinary bowling performances in first-class cricket history.
Left-arm spinner Ali Usman ripped through the batting line-up with figures of 6 for 9, while pacer Ammad Butt supported him with 4 for 28. Remarkably, PTV used only two bowlers in the entire second innings.
SNGPL’s batting order, which included several Pakistan Test players, collapsed under pressure.
Pakistan Test captain Shan Masood was dismissed for a duck, while Test pacer Mohammad Ali scored six and off-spinner Sajid Khan made three.
Only Saifullah Bangash reached double figures, top-scoring with 14.
SNGPL are coached by former Pakistan Test captain Misbah-ul-Haq, with another former skipper, Azhar Ali, serving as batting coach.
Pakistan’s Information Minister Attaullah Tarar congratulated the PTV team on their historic win.
“Well done my boys! Kudos to you,” Tarar said in a statement. He credited the team’s success to merit-based selection and hard work, calling the victory a proud moment for PTV management.
Well done my boys! Kudos to you
PTV’s rise is no coincidence. From the President’s Trophy 2024/25 triumph, powered by youngsters like Mohammad Shehzad and Shamyl Hussain, to creating a world record in the President’s Trophy 2025/26 today, this is what happens when talent is… https://t.co/CIhEEw1hyd
— Attaullah Tarar (@TararAttaullah) January 17, 2026
