October 21, 2001	Sunday	Shaba'an 3, 1422

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KARACHI, Oct 20: Reigning champions Pakistan Customs hope to carry on their winning spree in the Patron’s Trophy Grade-I tie against Pakistan Public Works Department (PWD) whom they face in the sixth round fixture Sunday here at UBL Sports Complex.

Having defeated Sui Gas and ADBP in their last two matches, Customs will rely to cash in on PWD’s demoralizing loss against the previously winless Wapda in the fifth round.

With just four rounds left in the 10-team league competition, current leaders National Bank are favourites to lift the title.

After taking on KRL at Saga Ground, Sialkot in the sixth round, National Bank need to stave off a possible challenge from Habib Bank in the next round before two relatively easy encounters against the likes of Wapda and first-class debutants Sui Gas, who are yet to secure a point.

PIA, who are most hit by national duty calls, must improve their performance if they hope to harbour any chance of winning their first championship since the early 1970s. They narrowly escape defeat against minnows Sui Gas having earned a mere three-run fist innings lead that was enough to put them in third spot on points.

The unbeaten PIA side face Wapda at Iqbal Stadium in Faisalabad. Habib Bank, meanwhile, play ADBP at Sheikhupura Stadium.

Sixth round schedule (Oct 21-24):

PIA v Wapda at Iqbal Stadium, Faisalabad (Umpires: Asad Rauf and Aleem Dar. Match referee: Farrukh Zaman).

National Bank v KRL at Saga Ground, Sialkot (Umpires: Iftikhar Malik and Z.I. Pasha. Match referee: Ishtiaq Ahmed).

Pakistan Customs v PWD at UBL Sports Complex, Karachi (Umpires: Sadiq Mohammad and Riazuddin. Match referee: Shahid Pervez).

Habib Bank v ADBP at Sheikhupura Stadium (Umpires: M. Nazir Jr and Mian Aslam. Match referee: Hafiz Shahid).

Allied Bank v Sui Gas at LCCA Ground, Lahore (Umpires: Saleem Badar and Nadeem Ghauri. Match referee: Asif Ali).