Sialkot start well chasing 369

National champions Sialkot's third-round Pentangular Cup match against Karachi Harbour entered an interesting stage as, left with 369 runs to attain victory, Sialkot had scored 160 for 2 at the Gaddafi Stadium in Lahore.

Karachi Harbour, who had earlier gained a first innings advantage of 99, resumed at their overnight 159 for 4 yesterday and were eventually bowled out for a total of 269. This gave them an overall lead of 368.

Sialkot began strongly in their run chase, with the openers putting up 104 together. With a full day remaining, Sialkot needed 209 to attain their first win after two defeats, with eight wickets in hand. Still at the crease was Haafiz Majid Jahangir with an unbeaten 64 to his name, having faced 160 balls in a little over three-and-a-half hours and hit nine boundaries. Atiq-ur-Rehman's 51 included eight fours while he negotiated 87 deliveries.

Earlier, Karachi's captain, Asim Kamal, reached 57, that came off 73 balls with the help of eight fours. Rajesh Ramesh followed his first innings 73 not out with another useful contribution of 28 while remaining undefeated. Kashif Daud, the medium-pacer, captured four wickets for 110 runs, taking his match haul for Sialkot to nine wickets for 190 runs.