LAHORE, April 18: Fine bowling by Test paceman Umar Gul and later an unbeaten opening stand between Agha Sabir and Ghulam Ali put PIA in sight of victory against leaders National Bank on the second day of the Pentangular Cup match at the Multan Cricket Stadium on Tuesday.

Umar snared four wickets for 64 as the bankers were bowled out for 207 in reply to PIA's first innings score of 242.

Mohammad Sami, the Pakistan pace bowler, however contributed a defiant knock of 45 to become the top scorer. Imran Javed struck an unbeaten 38 and Yasir Arafat made 31.

By close of play, PIA further strengthened their position as Agha Sabir (41) with first-innings century-maker Ghulam Ali (38) adding 86 without being separated to extend PIA’s overall lead to 121.

A defeat will not only halt the bankers' winning streak but also could dim their chances to win the tournament as PIA will join them on 18 points from three matches apiece. Faisalabad are the leaders with 27 points from four matches.

Scoreboard

PIA (1st Innings) 242 (Ghulam Ali 124; Wasim Khan 5-67).

NATIONAL BANK (1st Innings):

Salman Butt b Fazle 2

Nasir Jamshed b Umar 36

Naumanullah c Yasir b Najaf 27

Faisal Athar b Umar 1

Shahid Yousaf b Umar 0

Mansoor Amjad c Rauf b Janisar 18

Yasir Arafat c and b Janisar 31

Imran Javed not out 38

Mohammad Sami c Yasir b Najaf 45

Wasim Khan b Fazle 0

Waqar Ahmed c Rauf b Umar 0

EXTRAS (B-1, LB-6, NB-2) 9

TOTAL (all out, 63.2 overs) 207

FALL OF WKTS: 1-2, 2-62, 3-69, 4-69, 5-69, 6-122, 7-123, 8-199, 9-200.

BOWLING: Fazle Akbar 15-3-44-2 (2nb); Umar Gul 19.2-2-64-4; Najaf Shah 19-5-50-2; Janisar Khan 8-1-33-2; Kamran Sajid 2-0-9-0.

PIA (2nd Innings):

Agha Sabir not out 41

Ghulam Ali not out 38

EXTRAS (B-4, LB-1, NB-2) 7

TOTAL (for no wkt, 24 overs) 86

BOWLING (to-date): Mohammad Sami 6-1-21-0 (2nb); Wasim Khan 8-0-34-0; Yasir Arafat 7-2-17-0; Mansoor Amjad 3-1-9-0.