Sarfraz Ahmed puts WAPDA on the brink

Sarfraz Ahmed, the left-arm fast bowler and Sialkot's hero of their Quaid-e-Azam Trophy triumph, took 6 for 49 for Water and Power Development Authority (WAPDA) on the third day of their four-day, Group B, first-round Patron's Trophy Cricket Championship match against Zarai Taraqiati Bank Limited (ZTBL), at the Sheikhupura Stadium on Monday. Four-time champions ZTBL were bowled out for just 171 runs in their second innings, which meant that after having surrendered a first innings lead of 45 they finished only 126 runs ahead of WAPDA, who had ended as runners-up behind them in the 2003-04 competition. By the close of play, WAPDA had responded strongly by chopping 51 runs off their target, with both openers still in occupation of the crease.

Pakistan International Airlines (PIA) required another monumental 330 runs to avoid the follow-on. on the third day of their four-day, Group A, first-round Patron's Trophy Cricket Championship match against Habib Bank, they replied to the latter's first innings score of 681 for 8 declared with 202 for four, at the United Bank Limited (UBL) Sports Complex Ground No.1 on Monday.

In a rather strange move Habib Bank, who had resumed at their overnight 663 for 8, continued batting for just three more overs, added 18 runs and then declared their innings closed. Junaid Zia was thus left unbeaten at 49, one short of a half-century, made off 63 balls with two boundaries. In the day's remaining 78 overs, PIA made a rather shoddy 202 runs for the loss of four wickets. There was a 72-run third-wicket partnership between Kamran Sajid (46) and Bazid Khan (39), before the fourth wicket fell at 136.

Faisal Iqbal, the captain, with an unbeaten 42, and Asif Mujtaba, 39-year-old left-hand batsman, rescued their team with an unbroken 66-run stand for the fifth wicket. Faisal has so far faced 98 balls and hit five boundaries. Habib Bank, record seven-time winners of the Patron's Trophy title, had to share the title last season with PIA after the final was abandoned due to rain. PIA have never won the competition outright since its introduction in 1972-73.

Khan Research Laboratories (KRL) finished 225 runs ahead of Pakistan Customs but had only one second innings wicket standing, as the third day of their four-day, Group A first-round Patron's Trophy Cricket Championship match ended at the National Bank of Pakistan (NBP) Sports Complex on Monday. Earlier, KRL bowled Customs out for 223 runs that gave them a first-innings advantage of 54 runs. In their second innings, however, they had lost nine wickets with only 171 runs on the board. Mohammad Wasim, the captain and a former Pakistan opening batsman, was still at the crease though with an unbeaten 92 to his name. He has so far faced 161 deliveries and sent nine hits to the ropes.

Pakistan Telecommunication Company Limited (PTCL) needed a further 127 runs with nine second-innings wickets in hand, to win against Service Industries, as the third day of their four-day, Group B first-round Patron's Trophy Cricket Championship match ended at the Iqbal Stadium on Monday. Riaz Afridi (4 for 45) and Tahir Mughal (4 for 53), the fast bowlers, bowled out Service for a poor second innings 153 after they had gained a 50-run first-innings lead over PTCL. By the close of play yesterday, after having been left with 204 runs to win, PTCL had steadily moved to a score of 77 for the loss of one wicket.