Wapda take on Karachi Dolphins in Gold League fixture today

KARACHI: Water and Power Development Authority (Wapda), currently enjoying a seven-point cushion at the top of the standings, take on Karachi Dolphins in a fourth-round Gold League fixture of the Quaid-i-Azam Trophy National Cricket Championship here at the National Stadium from Thursday.

However, Wapda’s bid to chalk up their fourth victory on the trot could be dampened with heavy rains forecast during the game, courtesy of the impending cyclone that is likely to strike the coastal regions of Sindh and Balochistan.

The Dolphins are severely handicapped by the absence of leg-spinner Shahzaib Ahmed Khan who has been sidelined for three weeks with a fractured thumb during the drawn tie against Zarai Taraqiati Bank Limited (ZTBL) five days ago. Until that setback Shahzaib had bagged 19 wickets and was instrumental in the victory against Sui Northern Gas Pipelines Limited (SNGPL) in the previous game with a nine-wicket haul.

ZTBL, who were dismissed for 118 by the Dolphins in the first innings, comfortably batted out the last day mainly due to resilient batting of experienced Pakistan discards Yasir Hameed and Shoaib Malik.

Fazal Subhan’s career-best effort of 207 has catapulted the Dolphins’ right-handed opener to the top of the Gold League batting chart with 459 runs with Wapda’s Iftikhar Ahmed second (321) after three games.

Wapda, however, have the highest wicket-taker this season so far in their line-up; 25-year-old paceman Mohammad Ali Bhutta, who has claimed 25 wickets at 9.96 per scalp. Multan Tigers’ opening bowler Majid Ali is next with 21 victims.

Second-placed United Bank’s game against Lahore Lions has been shifted to the Marghazar Cricket Ground in Islamabad because the Gaddafi Stadium in Lahore is being utilised for the ongoing limited-overs series between the Under-19 outfits of Pakistan and Afghanistan.

National Bank, who are lying in the seventh spot, would be hoping for better weather as they prepare to play Multan Tigers at the latter’s home territory in southern Punjab. After the opening day of the third-round encounter in Islamabad was washed out, National Bank and Islamabad Leopards played out an exciting draw when the Leopards finished at 122-6 while chasing 148.

Hammad Azam, the out-of-favour Pakistan all-rounder, made headlines with career-best analysis of 8-26 — the best innings figures by anyone this season. The 23-year-old ended up with match bag of 10 for 70.

Meanwhile, PIA, KRL, Habib Bank and SSGC will be looking to continue their winning run in the Silver League event after all four departments won comfortably in the third round. Barring a spate of stunning upsets in the rest of the competition the quartet, more or less, are guaranteed quarter-final places from their respective groups.

Following closely on their heels are Pakistan Television (PTV) and State Bank. Thus the pressure will mount on regional sides to make the knockout stage in the coming weeks.

Third-round schedule (Oct 30-Nov 2):

Gold League: Karachi Dolphins vs Water and Power Development Authority (National Stadium, Karachi); Multan Tigers vs National Bank (Multan Cricket Stadium, Multan); Rawalpindi Rams vs Zarai Taraqiati Bank Limited (Pindi Cricket Stadium, Rawalpindi); Lahore Lions vs United Bank (Marghazar Cricket Ground, Islamabad); Islamabad Leopards vs Sui Northern Gas Pipelines Limited (Diamond Club Ground, Islamabad); Peshawar Panthers vs Port Qasim Authority (Arbab Niaz Stadium, Peshawar).

Silver League: Hyderabad Hawks vs Khan Research Laboratories (Niaz Stadium, Hyderabad); Bahawalpur Stags vs Habib Bank (Dring Stadium, Bahawalpur); Lahore Eagles vs Pakistan Television (LCCA Ground, Lahore); Sialkot Stallions vs State Bank (Jinnah Stadium, Sialkot); Quetta Bears vs Pakistan International Airlines (National Cricket Ground, Islamabad); Abbottabad Falcons vs Sui Southern Gas Company (Abbottabad Cricket Stadium, Abbottabad).

Current standings

(Tabulated under played, won, lost, drawn, points):

Gold League

Wapda 3 3 0 0 26

United Bank 3 2 1 0 19

SNGPL 3 2 1 0 15

Port Qasim 3 2 0 1 15

Karachi Dolphins 3 1 1 1 12

Islamabad Leopards 3 1 0 2 12

National Bank 3 1 0 2 12

ZTBL 3 1 0 2 10

Peshawar Panthers 3 0 2 1 3