KARACHI, Jan 23: The fourth round of the ongoing Quaid-i-Azam Trophy National Cricket Championship starts from Wednesday with another round of six matches in the two segments.

Defending Gold League champions Sialkot have a lot of catching up to do if they aspire to make the Feb 19-23 final. Currently lying fifth in the seven-team group, Sialkot are away to leaders Peshawar.

Karachi Harbour, heartened by their great win in Peshawar last Sunday, face Lahore Shalimar, who are still smarting from a three-day innings defeat at the hands of Karachi Urban last week.

Faisalabad have their task cut out as they play Rawalpindi who were just one wicket away from defeating Sialkot in the third round. Faisalabad, currently rooted to the bottom with no points, are anxious to do well in this game to avoid the looming possibility of being relegated to Silver League next season.

Meanwhile, Islamabad are virtually guaranteed a place in the Feb 7-11 Silver League final after scoring effortless victories in the all three rounds thus far. Islamabad’s opponents in the fourth round are third-placed Hyderabad at the Mirpur Cricket Stadium.

Second-placed Multan host an improving Abbottabad side while Lahore Ravi get their first real chance of winning when take on Quetta after having lost all three matches this season.

Schedule (Jan 24-27):

Gold League: Faisalabad v Rawalpindi at Iqbal Stadium, Faisalabad; Lahore Shalimar v Karachi Harbour at Gaddafi Stadium, Lahore; Peshawar v Sialkot at Arbab Niaz Stadium, Peshawar.

Silver League: Islamabad v Hyderabad at Mirpur Cricket Stadium; Lahore Ravi v Quetta at LCCA Ground, Lahore; Multan v Abbottabad at Multan Cricket Stadium.

Standings