KARACHI, April 7: The fourth and penultimate round of the Patron’s Cup one-day cricket tournament on Friday offer enthralling matches with teams vying to book their semifinal places.

PIA, who remain the only side in the competition to maintain a clean sheet, just need a win against Zarai Taraqiati Bank Limited (ZTBL) to seal a last-four spot from Pool ‘A’. This match, which was originally scheduled for Quetta’s Bugti Stadium, has been shifted to Asghar Ali Shah Stadium here.

Allied Bank and Wapda are both caught in a must-win situation after tasting defeats in their first two matches. Therefore, they will be keener than ever to beat their respective opponents.

On the other hand, a PTCL win against Allied Bank will take them nearer to next week’s semifinals. KPT need a great effort to outplay Wapda to score their first success in the tournament.

The situation in Pool ‘B’ remains undecided since four teams have secured identical number of points. But at least defending champions Habib Bank can count themselves through to the knockout phase because Sui Gas, their rivals on Friday, are languishing at the bottom of the pool with three straight losses.

The match of the day sees National Bank and the unpredictable Pakistan Customs battling out it for a much-needed win to boost their semifinal prospects.

Defence Housing Authority (DHA) still have outside chance of upsetting the odds. But they are up against a resurgent Khan Research Laboratories (KRL) side in the fourth round.

Fourth round schedule (April 8):

Pool ‘A’: PIA v ZTBL at Asghar Ali Shah Stadium (Karachi); Allied Bank v PTCL at National Stadium (Karachi); Wapda v KPT at UBL Sports Complex (Karachi).

Pool ‘B’: Habib Bank v Sui Gas at LCCA Ground (Lahore); National Bank v Pakistan Customs at Gymkhana Ground (Okara); KRL v DHA at Sheikhupura Stadium (Sheikhupura).

Standings