LAHORE, Dec 12: While pool ‘A’ leaders Habib Bank Limited (HBL) will meet the runners-up of the pool National Bank of Pakistan (NBP), the newly emerged toppers of group ‘B’ Sui Northern Gas Pipe Lines (SNGPL) is to face the lowly-rated Lahore Shalimar in round 10 of the Quaid-i-Azam Trophy championship which begins across the country from Thursday.

A win against the rather strong NBP team may put HBL, who obtained 63 points from eight outings, in the final. Though NBP, having gained 51 points from seven matches, are in need of at least two more wins from three remaining matches, a win against HBL will increase their chances for the final, too.

HBL came on top after beating Sui Southern Gas Company (SSGC) in their last match. But the situation for the pool ‘B’ leaders SNGPL is not very friendly as they meet Lahore Shalimar at the Gaddafi Stadium, where intermittent rains and overcast conditions since Monday could lead to a draw. In case of a draw, SNGPL, who are leading in the pool with 54 points from eight matches, will be facing a threat from Pakistan International Airlines (PIA), who are close at their heels with 51 points from nine matches.

PIA, the leaders in the previous round, fell behind after playing a drawn game in their last match against Abbottabad. They are positioned second mainly because of the rainy weather.

Meanwhile, the match between NBP and Sialkot which could not be held from Oct 20 to 23, due to an unplayable pitch at the Jinnah Stadium, Sialkot, is to be played again.

This time the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) has decided to hold the match at the Multan Stadium, Multan. Due to this, the matches between NBP and SSGC and Wapda vs Sialkot will now be played from Dec 29 to Jan 1 instead of Dec 26 to 29.

Schedule for round 10: