Talha hands NBP crushing victory

Group A

Zahoor Elahi's quick century went in vain as National Bank of Pakistan (NBP) routed Pakistan Customs by an innings and 310 runs inside three days at the NBP Sports Complex. It was a tall order for Customs on the third day, who were trailing by 479 and had lost three wickets the previous day. None of the other batsmen crossed 23, as Elahi was left to fight a lone battle. He remained unbeaten on 102 off 104 balls, stroking 13 fours and three sixes, as Mohammad Talha and Mohammad Aamer shot out the visitors for 187. Talha picked up another five-for in the second innings, to finish with 10 wickets in the match, while Aamer grabbed 4 for 48.

Karachi Whites are well on track for a comprehensive victory against Habib Bank Limited at the Southend Club Cricket Stadium after Asim Kamal's 125 helped them to a lead of 322. Kamal, the former Pakistan batsman, added 126 for the seventh wicket with Tanvir Ahmed (75) as the visitors toiled away without much success. Danish Kaneria and Adbur Rehman sent down 103 overs between them for four wickets. HBL's top order then struggled again, losing three early wickets towards the end of the day. Ahmed Shehzad remained unbeaten on 37, but unless the weather helps out defeat seems certain.

Yasir Shah's three wickets have given Sui Northern Gas Pipelines a real chance of forcing victory against Lahore Shalimar at the Lahore City Cricket Association. He helped reduce the home side to 60 for 4 in their second innings, and although they steadied to 115 for 4 by the close the lead stands at just 34. The ball has dominated this game and earlier Mohammad Naved finished with 5 for 86 as SNGP lost their last six wickets for 28.

Top of the table Pakistan International Airlines enjoyed a dominant day against Sui Southern Gas Corporation at the Quaid-e-Azam Park, led by Faisal Iqbal's caeer-best equalling unbeaten 200. Iqbal, who hasn't played for Pakistan since 2007, showed the sort of the form that may get the selectors interested again as he hit 18 fours and two sixes in his 338-ball stay. He added 125 with Sarfraz Ahmed, who played his shots in an 86-ball 82 that included 10 boundaries. Iqbal denied himself the chance to set a new career-best when he declared on reaching his double, but the move paid off when Tahir Khan claimed an early breakthrough.

Bilal Khilji hit an unbeaten 103 to push Water and Power Development Authority to a lead of 201 against Zarai Taraqiati Bank Limited at the Sheikhupura Stadium. Khilji's 10th first-class century was a vital effort after his side had slipped to 71 for 4. Captain Adil Nisar and Imranullah Aslam offered solid support in two important middle-order stands.

Group B

It took 18 overs on the third day for Abbottabad to end Karachi Blues' second innings at the United Bank Limited Sports Complex. Resuming on 101 for 5, and 44 behind, Rashid Mansoor and Armaghan Elahi worked in tandem to bundle out Karachi for 154. Sheharyar Ghani did complete his half-century but failed to inspire the other Karachi batsmen as Elahi picked up 6 for 42 to finish with an eight-wicket haul, while Mansoor added four more wickets to the six he bagged in the first innings. The Abbottabad openers polished off the required 10 runs for victory in seven balls.

Faisalabad were forced to follow-on against Multan at Okara after an inept first-innings collapse, but put up a much better fight second time around as they reached 187 for 1 to give themselves hope of saving the game. Sajjid Hussain, with a career-best 5 for 20, and Abdur Rauf did most of the damage as Faisalabad slumped from their overnight 68 for 2 to 105 all out. However, in their second innings Imran Ali and Mohammad Salman forged an unbroken second-wicket stand of 110 to prevent another rapid demise.

A valuable last-wicket stand of 64 between Usman Malik and Azam Khan, followed by three quick wickets, put Lahore Ravi on top against Quetta at Muridke. Quetta were the ones shaping for a first-innings lead before the last pair came together, but they suffered a frustrating time until Nazar Hussain claimed his fourth wicket to end the innings. The momentum was now with Lahore and Waqas Ahmed started with two early wickets, followed by another strike from Kashif Siddiq to lave Quetta on 41 for 3, a lead of just 18.

Rawalpindi have left Sialkot a tough chase of 382 on the final day in Islamabad after building on their healthy first-innings advantage. It wasn't all one-way traffic as they wobbled on 43 for 4, but Awais Zia struck 86 and captain Naved Ashraf added 58 to ease any concerns. Naved decided he had enough on the board and declared on 239 for 8, but his attack couldn't strike before the close as the Sialkot openers eased to 53 without loss at a good rate.

Adil Amin fell seven runs short of his century, but Peshawar have made strong inroads into Hyderabad's total of 292 at the Niaz Stadium. Adil added 111 with Sajjad Ahmed, who ended the day one short of his half century. Hyderabad used seven bowlers but successes were hard to come by although they largely managed to keep a lid on the scoring rate.