PIA favourites after dramatic collapse

A spectacular collapse by Zarai Taraquiati Bank Limited (ZTBL), after taking the first-innings lead, shifted the momentum completely in favour of Pakistan International Airlines (PIA) on the third day at the National Stadium. The PIA seamers began a demolition job after their team conceded a lead of 37, reducing the opposition to 70 for 9. It left ZTBL with a lead of just 107 and a wicket in hand.

The ZTBL wickets were shared by the pace trio of Anwar Ali, Ali Imran and Najaf Shah, who took three wickets apiece. Anwar got the first breakthrough, when he had Imran Nazir caught with the score on 12. Imran then got rid of Sharjeel Khan with the score on 32 and that sparked off the collapse. Shahid Yousuf went without scoring and Yasir Hameed, who made a start with 19, perished shortly after. The fast bowlers continued to make inroads and nearly sealed the innings before stumps. Only two batsmen, Hameed and Haris Sohail, managed double figures.

Earlier, PIA looked to build on their overnight score of 119 for 4, with Fahad Iqbal within reach of his fifty. He went on to score 61 before he was trapped lbw by Rao Iftikhar Anjum. Shoaib Khan snr and Sarfraz Ahmed put PIA on course to match ZTBL's 337 with a stand of 98. Shoaib also made 61 before he was caught and bowled by Rehan Riaz. Sarfraz made 70, and when he was trapped lbw by Sohail Tanvir, PIA were still 70 in arrears of ZTBL's score. The tail brought the deficit down to 37.

ZTBL appeared to have the edge, until the PIA seamers swung it their way.