KARACHI: Group ‘A’ leaders National Bank face a tough challenge when they clash with arch-rivals Habib Bank in an eagerly-awaited fourth-round fixture of the RBS Quaid-i-Azam Trophy National Championship from Wednesday.
 
Both teams, however, will be without their Pakistan stars who are preparing to leave for the United Arab Emirates in a couple of days for next month’s ODI and Twenty20 series against New Zealand.

Zarai Taraqiati Bank Limited (ZTBL) are hardest hit by national duty with no less than five regular players missing for next several weeks. They play Khan Research Laboratories (KRL) at the latter’s backyard.

Wapda have a decent opportunity to chalk up their first win in the championship since their opponents are Lahore Shalimar who have been soundly defeated in all three matches this season.

Probably the pick of Group ‘A’ matches is the match between Sui Northern Gas Pipelines Limited (SNGPL) and Sui Southern Gas Corporation (SSGC) at the Sheikhupura Stadium.

SNGPL have the big advantage of having the services of former Pakistan vice-captain Misbah-ul-Haq who missed out selection for all three segments of the New Zealand series.

The 35-year-old seasoned campaigner sent a swift reminder to the national selectors with a career-best 284 against Lahore Shalimar last week that he remains a strong candidate for the Australian tour later in the year.

SSGC, who were not in action in the third round, have the potential to challenge strong teams. PIA were deprived of certain victory by last-day centuries from SSC skipper Saeed bin Nasir and Rizwan Ahmed in the second-round game at the UBL Sports Complex.

PIA, fresh from their first win — against Pakistan Customs — take on Karachi Whites here at the National Stadium.

Arguably the top fixture in Group ‘B’ is the clash between leaders Karachi Blues and second-placed Rawalpindi at the National Ground in Islamabad. The Blues will sorely feel the absence of their in-form opening batsman Khalid Latif because of national duty.

However, they feel heartened by the exploits of their hardworking opening bowler Tanvir Ahmed who is the leading wicket-taker with 29 victims in three matches thus far.