KARACHI, Dec 23: Heavy rains in the metropolis on Monday played havoc with the two Quaid-i-Azam Trophy National Cricket Championship Group-II matches.

Bahawalpur had reached 74 for no wicket in their second innings against Karachi Whites at National Stadium when showers forced the players off the field at 11.20am after 80 minutes of play on the third day.

Despite efforts of the groundstaff to ensure that the entire square remained dry, water seeped underneath the tarpaulin covers, leaving the entire area wet and muddy.

Umpires Athar Zaidi and Iftikhar Malik finally announced at 4.00pm that no further play could be possible after making three inspections.

Bahawalpur still need 80 runs to avoid the prospect of an innings defeat after Karachi Whites had taken a substantial first innings lead of 154.

Pak PWD’s attempt to defeat Dadu at UBL Sports Complex was also held up by the hour-long rain. Dadu lost two more wickets in the 85 minutes of play possible to reach 117 for five when the heavens opened.

Umpires Khalid Mahmood and Haider Lehri, after several inspections, decided to abandon play for the day at 4.00pm because the square was heavily inundated.

Play on the last day on Tuesday looks bleak in this game with Dadu requiring a further 150 for victory.

Allied Bank Limited (ABL), meanwhile, looked on course for an emphatic victory after reducing Multan to 184 for seven in their second innings at Multan Cricket Stadium.

The home team are still 100 runs away from making ABL bat again. The only bright spots for Multan were Mohammad Ali Niazi who made a gallant 82 and Mohammad Fazil, batting on 48.

Earlier, ABL declared their first innings at 442 for eight, after starting the day on 410 for six, as soon as Aamir Hanif had reached 50.

Scoreboard

BAHAWALPUR (1st Innings) 167.