FATA's first ever win, and another Butt-Asif controversy

Drama unfolded in Islamabad when Water and Power Development Authority (WAPDA) added Salman Butt and Mohammad Asif in the playing XI without the prior permission of the PCB, in their match against Khan Research Laboratories. WAPDA's move was rejected by match referee Khalid Niazi, as at the time, both players were still part of a rehabilitation programme and were not allowed to participate in the first-class tournament without the consent of the PCB integrity committee.

Saeed Anwar, captain of Khan Research Laboratories, instantly objected after spotting the two players' names in the final squad before the toss. When asked to produce the no-objection certificate, the WAPDA manager referred to a letter written to the PCB seeking permission - which was apparently denied - following which Niazi called the board to clarify their stance. Butt and Asif, whose spot-fixing ban was lifted on September 2 this year, had been signed by WAPDA as non-executive 17th grade employees. The duo, however, are allowed to travel with the 15-man squad during the ongoing tournament.

Rahat Ali picked up match figures of 9 for 83 to help Khan Research Laboratories to a five-wicket win. The loss left WAPDA lingering with 16 points and at sixth place in the points table before the final round of games beginning on December 7.

Port Qasim Authority captain Khalid Latif scored 172 out of his team's first-innings total of 215 against United Bank Limited at the Marghzar Cricket Ground in Islamabad. Latif, who has played five ODIs and seven T20Is for Pakistan, also completed 8000 first-class runs during his innings. He last played an ODI in 2010 in Perth, where he was dismissed for a duck.

Umar Siddiq struck twin tons - 113 and 174 - to set up a strong platform for United Bank Limited as they set a target of 499. PQA managed 204 in 40 overs but had lost seven wickets before the game was drawn. Fast bowler Ehsan Adil claimed eight wickets in the match.

Federally Administered Tribal Areas (FATA) registered their first ever win in first-class cricket after beating Rawalpindi in a low-scoring encounter at the Rawalpindi Cricket Stadium. After being four down without a run on the board in response to Rawalpindi's first-innings total of 163, FATA mustered a score of 89. However, they completed a stunning comeback after bowling Rawalpindi out for 105 and then hunting down the target of 180. The win elevated FATA off the bottom of the table, after drawing three and losing two of their previous five games.

Lahore Whites continued to struggle with the runs as they suffered another defeat, this time by an innings and 160 runs against rivals Karachi Blues. Karachi posted 363 on the back of a century from Saad Ali before Lahore were shot out for 145 and 58. Lahore Whites, who are at the bottom of Pool B with four losses and two drawn games, are facing a possible relegation from the tournament and will have to qualify for the main round next year if they remain in that position. Lahore Blues, the other team from the region, are placed fourth in Pool A with 12 points.