LAHORE, Feb 9: Despite a number of seasoned batsmen in their side, Punjab faces a tough task against pace-backed Federal Areas in the opening four-day match of the Pentangular Cup cricket at the Gaddafi Stadium on Sunday.

While Punjab boasts Mohammad Yousuf, Shoaib Malik (captain), Salman Butt, Mohammad Hafeez, Nasir Jamshed, Misbah-ul-Haq and Kamran Akmal in their ranks, the FA team is laced with international-level fast bowlers led by skipper Shoaib Akhtar who is backed by Rao Iftikhar Anjum, Sohail Tanvir and Yasir Arafat.

Suffering from a recent shoulder injury, Rao Iftikhar however, is a doubtful starter for today’s game.

In contrast, Punjab lacks an incisive bowling attack and, similarly, FA a seasoned batting line-up.

The key fast bowlers in the Punjab side are the upcoming Junaid Zia, Wahab Riaz and a discarded Mohammad Khalil. On the other hand, FA’s weak batting line-up has no prominent names except Bazid Khan and Naveed Qureshi.

The weather during the match is also likely to be trouble-free as Lahore, after remaining cloudy for almost a week, experienced bright sunshine on Saturday.

The match will also be providing Shoaib Akhtar with a chance to prove his match fitness as the PCB has some serious doubts about it that led to the ‘Rawalpindi Express’ being ignored for the home series against Zimbabwe.

The PCB has also decided to award the central contract to Shoaib if he proves his fitness by playing in at least two Pentangular Cup matches.

Shoaib, however, has said that he is not playing in the Pentangular Cup for any incentives but for his region Islamabad.

Offering cash prizes of Rs 1.7 million, the Pentangular Cup is a first-class event of the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB).