KARACHI, March 17: Pakistan Customs face daunting prospects of stopping the star-studded PIA in their tracks when the two unbeaten Pool ‘A’ rivals clash in the National One-day Cricket Championship Monday.

The encounter here at National Stadium is the pick of the 12 matches in the sixth round. A victory for either PIA or Customs will ensure them a final round spot.

Even if Customs, who are the obvious underdogs against a virtual Pakistan XI, fail to upset PIA they will remain in contention for the final round.

Karachi Whites, who face Customs Wednesday in the last round of league fixtures, are the other side in this pool who could progress to the next round, provided of course they win their final game.

Meanwhile, Karachi Blues also have a battle on their hands as they meet Pool ‘B’ leaders National Bank at Gaddafi Stadium.

The bankers, having the services of Pakistan captain Waqar Younis, young pace sensation Mohammad Sami to name a few in another star-studded squad, are almost guaranteed a final round place.

Mathematically, Karachi Blues are certain to miss out since third-placed Sui Gas have a game in hand. They play Sialkot Monday and then wind up their league round against the bottom-placed Balochistan.

Lahore Blues and Wapda face other in a virtual do-or-die Pool ‘C’ tussle Monday. A Wapda victory will seal Lahore’s fate since the latter are pitted against the formidable Habib Bank Wednesday. Wapda’s last tie, in comparison, is much more easier against the struggling Sheikhupura side.

The qualifiers from Pool ‘D’ are not expected to be decided until Wednesday. Allied Bank, however, are well-placed than either ADBP or KRL. An ABL win Monday against ADBP will automatically put them into the next round. But ADBP will still be in the running, provided ABL defeat KRL Wednesday by a sizable margin.

Sixth round schedule (March 18):

Pool A: PIA v Pakistan Customs at National Stadium, Karachi; Bahawalpur v Lahore Whites at UBL Sports Complex, Karachi; Hyderabad v Rest of Sindh at Niaz Stadium, Hyderabad.