Two last-8 spots up for grabs in One-day Cup final round

KARACHI: With just two places at stake before the quarter-final matchups in the Quaid-i-Azam One-day Cup is completed, Wednesday’s last round of pool fixtures offers fair bit of excitement.

National Bank of Pakistan (NBP) currently top Pool ‘A’ on net run rate with Khan Research Laboratories (KRL) breathing down their necks with both sides equal on 10 points apiece, while Habib Bank Limited (HBL) need to beat NBP in their clash at the Iqbal Stadium in Faisalabad to be assured of their last-eight qualification.

If HBL were to lose then both Islamabad and Peshawar stand a chance of making the cut but if the bankers emerge winners then the scenario changes dramatically because that would leave the two regional outfits battling for just one spot.

The equation favours fifth-placed Peshawar more than Islamabad given their aggressive brand of play as they prepare to take on the largely unpredictable Federally Administered Tribal Areas (Fata) at the Abbottabad Cricket Stadium in Abbottabad.

Islamabad’s task sounds onerous despite their upcoming opponents Lahore Whites being rooted at the base of Pool ‘A’ with only one victory. But the surrounding of Gaddafi Stadium in Lahore could lift their spirits to deny Islamabad reaching the quarter-finals.

The situation in Pool ‘B’ is more or less than decided because Sui Southern Gas Company Limited (SSGCL), Pakistan Television (PTV) plus Water and Power Development Authority (Wapda) have already confirmed the top three berths from this group.

This leaves Rawalpindi and Multan slogging it out for the solitary spot and the winners of their fixture at the Pindi Cricket Stadium would straightway reach the quarter-finals.

The high-flying SSGCL just require to nail the disappointing Zarai Taraqiati Bank Limited (ZTBL) at the Diamond Club Ground in Islamabad to retain their spot at top of the group standings. The return of Mohammad Amir to the ranks has made Umar Amin’s team more formidable.

The Pakistan left-armer, who went through last month’s Asia Cup campaign without claiming a single wicket, showed signs of regaining form as he picked up a five-for on Monday to help SSGCL end their Quaid-i-Azam Trophy campaign as outright winners of Pool ‘B’ with an innings win over ZTBL.

PTV and Wapda face each other at the Marghazar Cricket Ground in the federal capital to decide who would eventually clinch second place in the pool.

Seventh-round schedule (Oct 23):

Pool ‘A’: HBL vs NBP (Iqbal Stadium, Faisalabad); Lahore Whites vs Islamabad (Gaddafi Stadium, Lahore); KRL vs SNGPL (KRL Stadium, Rawalpindi); Fata vs Peshawar (Abbottabad Cricket Stadium, Abbottabad).

Pool ‘B’: Lahore Blues vs Karachi Whites (LCCA Ground, Lahore); Rawalpindi vs Multan (Pindi Cricket Stadium, Rawalpindi); ZTBL vs SSGCL (Diamond Club Ground, Islamabad); PTV vs Wapda (Marghazar Cricket Ground, Islamabad).

Current standings

(Tabulated under played, won, lost, points, net run-rate):

Pool ‘A’

NBP 6 5 1 10 +1.782

KRL 6 4 1 10 +0.796

HBL 6 4 2 8 -0.048

Islamabad 6 3 3 6 -0.419

Peshawar 6 3 3 6 -0.638

SNGPL 6 2 4 4 -0.028

Fata 6 1 5 2 -0.585

Lahore Whites 6 1 5 2 -1.016

Pool ‘B’