HBL slip to second after loss

Group A

Farooq Iqbal triggered a collapse that saw Habib Bank Limited (HBL) lose their last five wickets for 51 runs against Water and Power Development Authority (WAPDA). The ensuing 138-run defeat not only resulted in the bankers losing the match by 138 runs at Sheikhupura Stadium but also the top position in Group A. Iqbal picked up five wickets for 37 runs, and barring a dogged 226-ball 81 by Kamran Hussain - supported in part by Hasan Raza (37) and Humayun Farhat (28) - none of the HBL batsmen were able to stand up to the WAPDA attack as they were dismissed for 192 in their second innings.

Faisalabad scored the remaining 118 runs they needed for victory over Hyderabad at the Iqbal Stadium, losing only three wickets in the process. After a ten-wicket match haul for medium-pacer Asad Zarar, the home side were left with 136 to win, which was achieved in just over 28 overs by their top order.

Karachi Whites and Multan played out a draw at the UBL Sports Complex after Multan had been dismissed for 395 in their first innings - with a lead of four runs. Fahad Khan's five-wicket haul threatened to derail Multan's reply, but Sohail Maqsood scored an aggressive 123 and Mohammad Kashif's 51-ball 48 saw their team take the lead. Karachi Whites then safely played out the last 24 overs of the match, scoring 89 and losing only two wickets.

Lahore Ravi drew with Sui Southern Gas Corporation (SSGC) at the Lahore Country Club but the visitors walked away with three points courtesy of a 105-run first innings lead. SSGC, riding on a 168 by opener Asif Zakir and a 75-run ninth-wicket partnership, declared on 476 for 9 and had the home side reeling at 113 for 5 before Saad Nasim and Waqas Ahmed fought back to help their side inch towards 200 and bat out a draw.

A 136-run fourth wicket partnership between Faisal Khan (69) and Mohammad Ayub (93) took Sialkot to a two-wicket win over Pakistan Customs at Jinnah Stadium. Set a target of 303 by Customs, the home side were in trouble at 25 for 3 but Ayub and Faisal, followed by an unbeaten 56 from Khalid Mahmood, saw their team home.

An 132-run opening partnership allowed Karachi Blues to post 251 for 3 in their second innings and draw their sixth round match against Abbottabad at the >a href="/pakistan/engine/match/313897.html">Abbottabad Cricket Stadium. Aariz Kamal hit an unbeaten 100 and Shadab Kabir scored 84 as the home side obtained three points on the basis of a first-innings lead.

Lahore Shalimar batted out for a draw on the final day after Rawalpindi had declared their second innings on 192, setting Lahore a target in excess of 300. Although Rizwan Akbar managed four wickets - two of them late in the day - but Junaid Malik and Shahnawaz Malik led a much-improved batting display from the Lahore team.

A high-scoring draw at the KRL Ground took place between Zarai Taraqiati Bank Limited (ZTBL) and Quetta, in which 975 runs were scored for the loss of 13 wickets. A mammoth 332-run opening partnership between Afaq Raheem (275) and Umar Javed (134) set the tone of the innings as ZTBL put up an imposing 515 for 4 in reply to Quetta's 440 for 9. Of the Quetta bowlers, Naseer Khan returned with respectable figures (3 for 121).

Points table

Quaid-e-Azam Trophy, 2007/08

Matches -

Group A

Team	Mat	Won	Lost	Tied	Draw	Aban	Pts
WAPDA	5	4	0	0	1	0	39
Habib Bank	5	4	1	0	0	0	36
National Bnk	5	4	0	0	1	0	36
Lahore Ravi	6	3	2	0	1	0	27
Faisalabad	6	2	2	0	2	0	21
Karachi Whites	6	2	2	0	2	0	21
Multan	6	2	2	0	2	0	21
Sui Sthn Gas	5	2	2	0	1	0	21
Sialkot	5	1	3	0	1	0	9
Hyd (Pakstn)	5	0	4	0	1	0	0
Pakistan Customs	6	0	6	0	0	0	0

Group B

Team	Mat	Won	Lost	Tied	Draw	Aban	Pts
Islamabad	6	4	2	0	0	0	36
PIA	6	4	0	0	2	0	36
Sui Gas	5	4	1	0	0	0	36
Zarai TBL	6	2	2	0	2	0	21
Rawalpindi	6	1	2	0	3	0	18
Khan RL	5	1	1	0	3	0	15
Karachi Blues	5	1	2	0	2	0	12
Peshawar	5	1	3	0	1	0	12
Lahore Shalimar	6	1	2	0	3	0	9
Abbottabad	5	0	2	0	3	0	3
Quetta	5	0	2	0	3	0	3