Late strikes give Federal Areas edge

A couple of late strikes gave Federal Areas the edge in their match against Punjab at the Lahore City Cricket Association Ground as Punjab ended 139 runs behind with five wickets in hand. The match is headed for a draw, but there are still the points for a first-innings lead up for grabs. Federal Areas did not have the best start to the day as they only added 46 runs to their overnight score of 315 for 6. Punjab seamer Mohammad Khalil struck thrice to finish with figures of 5 for 100. Punjab then looked good in their response, reaching 198 for 3 thanks to half-centuries from Imran Farhat, Mohammad Ayub and Usman Salahuddin. But Ayub and Salahuddin were dismissed towards the end of the day, to give Federal Areas the advantage.

Baluchistan secured the first-innings lead on the third day despite a spirited fightback by Khyber-Pakhtunkhwa Province at the Gaddafi Stadium in Lahore. Half-centuries from Adnan Raees and Khalid Usman helped Khyber-Pakhtunkhwa recover after they started the day at 81 for 4, and almost carried their team past Baluchistan's first-innings score of 279, but seamer Abdur Rauf took the three quick wickets at the end and Khyber-Pakhtunkhwa fell short by 13 runs. Baluchistan then went out and got to 145 for 3 in their second innings, putting them in a strong position - 158 ahead with seven wickets in hand - at stumps.