KARACHI, Feb 4: A fiery burst from pacer Jaffar Nazir all but put Khan Research Laboratories (KRL) into the final of the Quaid-i-Azam National Cricket Championship after Faisalabad were forced to follow on at National Stadium here on Tuesday.
Jaffar captured six for 31 in an unchanged spell of 17 overs from the University Road End to skittle out Faisalabad for 105 in their first innings on the second day of the four-day tie.
Batting a second time with 231 runs in arrears, Faisalabad fared slightly better to reach 75 for three. Asif Hussain was holding the fort with a battling 38.
KRL now have to wait until Thursday morning to complete an inevitable victory in this first semifinal after Wednesday’s unexpected rest day because of Kashmir Day.
Faisalabad’s woes were further compounded by an injury to Mohammad Salman, normally a wicket-keeper but playing in this game as a batsman, who was unable to bat after requiring four stitches in his right hand.
Salman was incapacitated while catching Naeem Akhtar in the slips as KRL added 73 to their overnight score of 263 for six.
Wicket-keeper Zulfiqar Jan hammered 37 while putting 30 for the last wicket with Mohammad Asif.
Barring any miracle, KRL’s opponents in the Feb 17-21 final, scheduled to be played at National Stadium, will be decided when PIA meet Rawalpindi in the second semifinal at UBL Sports Complex from Thursday.