April 23, 2006	Sunday	Rabi-ul-Awwal 24, 1427

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LAHORE, April 22: National Bank will face Karachi Harbour in Pentangular Cup fifth and last round at Qadhafi Stadium from Sunday with an aim either to win or gain three points on first innings lead to lift the Cup.

The bankers have 24 points from three matches and are behind Faisalabad, who have played all their four matches, having obtained 27 points.

An outright win will give NBP nine points and in case of first innings lead they will get three points to match the points tally of Faisalabad.

But the NBP's better run-rate of 0.531 against Faisalabad 0.270 will help them win the top slot and a cash prize of Rs600,000.

The bankers’ chances to win are bright as Karachi Harbour proved a lowly-rated team of five-team supreme event of domestic season.

As was expected the final round will be a colourless after six players of two teams (NBP, PIA) will be leaving for Abu Dhabi on Sunday to represent Pakistan 'A' team in the Euro-Asia Cup there.

NBP, however, will have the services of Pakistan wicketkeeper Kamran Akmal while Faisal Iqbal will also join PIA to face Sialkot at the Multan Stadium.

Yasir Hameed, Bazid Khan, Tahir Khan (PIA), and Shahid Yousaf, Mansoor Amjad and Yasir Arafat (NBP) are accompanying the 'A' team.

Mohammad Hafeez, Misbahul Haq, Samiullah Khan (Faisalabad) are also included in the 'A' team but they have no match.

The runners-up will receive Rs 300,000 while the best batsman, bowler, fielder and wicketkeeper will pocket Rs 25,000 each.

Points-table (tabulate shows, team, matches, win, loss, draws, points, net run-rate):

Faisalabad 4-3-1-0-27- 0.270

NBP 3-3-0-0-24- 0.531

PIA 3-1-2-0- 9 -0.440

Sialkot 3-1-2-0- 6 -0.197

Karachi Harbour 3-0-3-0- 0 -0.260.