KARACHI, Oct 30: While defending champions Sindh will be hoping for victory when they face Balochistan in the second-round Pentangular Cup fixture here on Friday, the strong-looking Punjab make their first entry in the competition in Islamabad.

Led by Pakistan captain Shoaib Malik, Punjab have the seasoned Mohammad Yousuf in their line-up for the all-important clash against Federal Areas at the Diamond Club Ground where speed ace Shoaib Akhtar is keen to impress national selector Ijaz Ahmed, who will be keeping a close watch on the 33-year-old Rawalpindi Express.

With the selectors due to meet at the weekend to finalise the Pakistan squad for the upcoming three-match One-day International series against the West Indies in Abu Dhabi, the two matches offer Saleem Jaffer, the chairman of selectors, and his fellow selectors Ijaz and Shoaib Mohammad the last opportunity to make up their mind over the composition of the 15-man squad.

Sindh, held to a tedious draw by Federal Areas in the opening-round tie at the National Stadium, head into the game against Balochistan with three points — for obtaining first-innings lead against Federal Areas.

Shahid Afridi, the Sindh captain, would nothing short of a win against a Balochistan side who were totally outplayed by NWFP in that crushing innings and 236-run defeat inside three days at the Bugti Stadium in Quetta earlier this week.

Jaffer, who replaced Salahuddin Ahmed as head of the new selection committee, which has been apparently appointed on an interim basis until the Abu Dhabi series, was a keen observer along with Shoaib Mohammad during the Sindh-Federal Areas match.