KARACHI, Feb 15: Despite a second-innings batting collapse, Karachi Urban were on verge of certain victory against Faisalabad in the last round of Quaid-i-Azam Trophy Gold League Cricket Championship at the UBL Sports Complex here on Thursday.

After being set a challenging target of 313, Faisalabad were tottering at 37 for three in their second innings. They now require a further 276 on Friday’s final day.

Earlier, Karachi Urban, who had a massive lead of 154 on the first innings, were shot for 158 in 72.3 overs. Off-spinner Saeed Ajmal triggered the collapse with excellent figures of six for 49.

Asim Kamal, the Test left-hander, top-scored for the hosts with an unbeaten 39 off 96 balls, while Saeed bin Nasir made a 91-ball 33 as batting became increasingly difficult on a wearing track.

Medium-pacer Asad Ali chipped in with the scalps of Asif Zakir (3), Hasan Raza (1) and Faisal Iqbal (20).

Faisalabad, in fact, had made some sort of recovery through opener Imran Ali (10) and skipper Misbah-ul-Haq (17) after the first three wickets fell for eight runs.

Karachi Urban are already through to the Feb 19-23 final against Sialkot at the Multan Cricket Stadium.

Meanwhile, the rain-disrupted match between Peshawar and Lahore Shalimar was abandoned as a draw at the Arbab Niaz Stadium after a straight third blank day in Peshawar.

Scoreboard

KARACHI URBAN (1st Innings) 354 (Agha Sabir 102, Saeed bin Nasir 52).

FAISALABAD (1st Innings) 200 (Misbah-ul-Haq 83 not out; Tahir Khan 4-64).

KARACHI URBAN (2nd Innings, overnight 3-0):

Agha Sabir lbw b Ahmed Hayat 20

Asif Zakir c Salman b Asad 3

Saeed bin Nasir c Ijaz b Saeed 33

Hasan Raza c Salman b Asad 1

Faisal Iqbal b Asad 20

Asim Kamal not out 39

Imran Javed c Ijaz b Saeed 1

Tahir Khan c Ijaz b Saeed 25

Amin-ur-Rehman c Tauqir b Saeed 0

Tanvir Ahmed c Asif b Saeed 8

Azam Hussain c Asif b Saeed 0

EXTRAS (LB-2, NB-6) 8

TOTAL (all out, 72.3 overs) 158

FALL OF WKTS: 1-22, 2-25, 3-31, 4-82, 5-82, 6-83, 7-119, 8-120, 9-158.

BOWLING: Asad Ali 21-5-48-3 (2nb); Ahmed Hayat 9-2-21-1 (2nb); Imran Khalid 14-1-24-0; Tauqir Hussain 3-0-5-0 (2nb); Saeed Ajmal 22.5-4-49-6.

FAISALABAD (2nd Innings):

Imran Ali not out 10

Mohammad Salman b Tanvir 4

Asif Hussain run out 0

Tauqir Hussain c Amin b Imran 1

Misbah-ul-Haq not out 17

EXTRAS (LB-2, W-1, NB-2) 5

TOTAL (for three wkts, 19 overs) 37

FALL OF WKTS: 1-7, 2-7, 3-8.

BOWLING (to-date): Tanvir Ahmed 7-2-15-1 (1nb, 1w); Imran Javed 6-3-10-1 (1nb); Tahir Khan 3-1-5-0; Azam Hussain 3-0-5-0.