Cricket is a game of numbers—but some numbers defy belief. In a match that will echo through the annals of the sport, Pakistan Television (PTV) achieved what no first-class team has done in over two centuries: successfully defend a total of just **40 runs**. Yes, you read that right. In the 2026 Presidents Trophy—a premier domestic first-class competition in Pakistan—PTV bowled out Sui Northern Gas Pipelines Limited (SNGPL) for a paltry 37, winning by two runs and shattering a 232-year-old record for the lowest successful run defence in the history of first-class cricket .
Table of Contents
- The Historic Match: How 40 Became Enough
- Ali Usman’s Spell: 6 for 9 That Made History
- Putting the Record in Context: 232 Years of First-Class Cricket
- Previous Lowest Defences: How Close Were We?
- Why This Moment Matters for Pakistani Cricket
- Fan and Expert Reactions: From Disbelief to Awe
- Conclusion: A Reminder That Cricket Is Unpredictable
- Sources
The Historic Match: How 40 Became Enough
The stage was set at the picturesque Rawalpindi Cricket Stadium. PTV, batting first, were skittled out for a dismal **40 runs** in just 22.1 overs. Their innings featured no double-digit score; opener Muhammad Huraira top-scored with just 9. Most observers assumed the match would be a formality—a quick win for SNGPL.
But cricket had other plans. Chasing a target so low it seemed impossible to lose, SNGPL began confidently. Yet, under overcast skies and on a pitch offering sharp turn, PTV’s bowlers turned belief into chaos. By the 20th over, SNGPL were all out for **37**, handing PTV one of the most improbable victories ever recorded .
Ali Usman’s Spell: 6 for 9 That Made History
At the heart of this miracle was left-arm orthodox spinner **Ali Usman**, who delivered a performance for the ages. His figures of **6 wickets for just 9 runs in 8.1 overs** included three maidens and an economy rate of 1.10. He didn’t just take wickets—he strangled the innings.
Usman’s victims included top-order batters like Kamran Akmal (who scored 12 before edging to slip) and middle-order anchors who simply couldn’t handle the relentless accuracy. “I just kept hitting the same spot,” Usman said post-match. “On this pitch, even a good ball could get you a wicket” .
Putting the Record in Context: 232 Years of First-Class Cricket
First-class cricket dates back to 1787, with matches between county teams in England. For **232 years**, no team had ever successfully defended fewer than 40 runs. The previous record stood at **41**, set way back in 1885 when Gloucestershire defeated Somerset by 1 run at Clifton College .
This means PTV’s victory isn’t just a Pakistani milestone—it’s a global cricketing landmark. ESPNcricinfo, the sport’s definitive statistical authority, has officially recognized the result as the new benchmark for defensive futility-turned-triumph .
Previous Lowest Defences: How Close Were We?
Before this match, several teams came close but never crossed the threshold:
- 41 – Gloucestershire vs Somerset (1885)
- 42 – Canterbury vs Otago (1929, New Zealand)
- 43 – Tamil Nadu vs Kerala (1973, India)
- 45 – Zimbabwe vs South Africa (1999, unofficial Test)
What makes PTV’s feat even more astonishing is that modern pitches are generally batsman-friendly, and scoring rates have skyrocketed. Defending 40 in 2026 is arguably harder than defending 41 in 1885.
Why This Moment Matters for Pakistani Cricket
Beyond the record, this match is a beacon of hope for Pakistan’s domestic system. The Presidents Trophy has long been criticized for inconsistent standards—but performances like Usman’s prove that world-class talent still emerges from these ranks.
For PTV—a departmental team fighting for survival in Pakistan’s restructured domestic setup—this victory is a statement. It shows that passion, discipline, and pitch conditions can overcome even the most lopsided scoreboard. As former captain Ramiz Raja noted, “This is the magic of cricket. It humbles giants and elevates the humble” [INTERNAL_LINK:pakistan-domestic-cricket-revival].
Fan and Expert Reactions: From Disbelief to Awe
Social media exploded after the result:
- Legendary spinner Abdul Qadir’s son, Usman Qadir, tweeted: “My father would’ve loved this pitch!”
- Former England batter Kevin Pietersen called it “the most bizarre and brilliant cricket result I’ve seen.”
- Pakistani fans flooded forums with memes: “When your team scores 40… and wins.”
Even statisticians were stunned. “We’ve checked every archive,” said a spokesperson for ESPNcricinfo. “This is unprecedented.”
Conclusion: A Reminder That Cricket Is Unpredictable
The lowest successful run defence in cricket history wasn’t born from strategy or star power—it emerged from grit, conditions, and a single bowler’s brilliance. PTV’s 40-run miracle is more than a record; it’s a testament to why we watch sport. Because in cricket, as in life, nothing is ever truly over until the last ball is bowled. And sometimes, the smallest totals tell the biggest stories.
Sources
- Times of India: First time in 232 years! Pak cricket team pulls off lowest successful run defence
- ESPNcricinfo: Lowest Totals Successfully Defended in First-Class Cricket
- Presidents Trophy 2026 Official Scorecard – PCB
- [INTERNAL_LINK:ali-usman-bowling-profile]