State Bank of Pakistan suffer first defeat of the season

Khan Research Laboratories capitalised on State Bank of Pakistan's second-innings collapse in Rawalpindi to hand them their first defeat of the season, which however did not affect their standing at the top of the table. Resuming their second innings at 45 for 3, SBP were tormented by the incisive KRL attack, with opening bowlers Yasir Arafat and Mohammad Irfan finishing with three wickets each. Rameez Alam's 34 was the highest score and only two other batsmen managed to get into the 20s, as SBP stuttered to 134. Chasing 95 for the victory, former Pakistan opener Ali Naqvi struck a quick half-century to take KRL to their third win in six matches.

Quetta were involved in a grim battle to avoid an innings defeat against Abbottabad at stumps on the third day at the Abbottabad Cricket Stadium. Wajid Ali, who was on 115 overnight, progressed to an unbeaten 201 to set up the home side's first-innings lead of 254. Number nine batsman Junaid Khan added to Quetta's woes with an innings of 70 off 57 balls, adding 134 runs with Wajid. Quetta's quest for a draw was led by Taimur Ali's dogged unbeaten half-century, but a steady loss of wickets at the other end meant they finished at 167 for 5, needing a further 87 to erase the deficit.

Lahore Ravi were bowled out for 251 in their second innings at the Gaddafi Stadium in Lahore, leaving Karachi Whites requiring 121 runs to get for victory on the final day. Resuming at 9 for 0, the home side improved on their first-innings performance, but could not take the game away from Karachi. Openers Mohammad Saad and Junaid Jan made half-centuries to set them up, but there was little of note from the rest. Offspinner Atif Maqbool got four wickets while Tanvir Ahmed, who made his Test debut against South Africa in the recent series, finished with three.

Pakistan Television had charged to 189 for 6 in 36.3 overs in their second innings and were eyeing a declaration against Lahore Shalimar at the Lahore City Cricket Association Ground. Umair Khan top-scored with 56 to launch the hunt for quick runs, while Awais Zia raced to 42 off 24 balls. Earlier, the hosts had under-performed in their first innings, stuttering from the overnight 116 for 3 to 227 all out, conceding a lead of 142. Zahoor Khan finished with figures of 4 for 79, while Mohammad Ali and Yasim Murtaza picked up three wickets each.

Kashif Pervez and Kashif Bhatti were the stars for Hyderabad, sharing nine wickets to dismiss Peshawar for 277 in the first-innings to give their side a lead of 128 at the Arbab Niaz Stadium. Akbar Badshah's 75 was the only sign of resistance from Peshawar as Pervez picked up his fourth first-class five-for. Hanif-ur-Rehman then struck a steady half-century to guide Hyderabad's quest for a declaration, but Peshawar pegged away at the other end to restrict them to 102 for 5, an overall lead of 230 by stumps.