KARACHI, May 1: The Patron’s Trophy Grade-II cricket tournament final was poised for a close finish after Pakistan Television (PTV) reached 130-2 in pursuit of a 288-run target against the Karachi Electric Supply Company (KESC) on the penultimate day of the four-day match in Mirpur on Wednesday.

When stumps were drawn for the day, Nawaz Ahmed with a solid knock of 54 was at the crease alongside the experienced Rizwan Ahmed (18) with the third-wicket pair safely seeing of the last 59 minutes of play to set up an exciting final day on Thursday at the Mirpur Cricket Stadium with PTV still requiring 168 runs to lift the title. Nawaz’s 114-ball innings, so far lasting three minutes under three hours, includes eight boundaries.

Opener Raheel Majeed followed up his first-innings knock of 70 with an 84-ball 47, that was laced with six fours, before the right-hander was bowled by fast bowler Tabish Khan with the total on 89.

Usman Ashraf, who was promoted to open in place of Naeem Anjum, fell early when he was snapped up KESC skipper Javed Mansoor off Arun Lal for six before Raheel and Nawaz put on 67 for the second wicket.

Earlier, KESC lost their eight wickets for the addition of 186 runs in 38 overs to be all out for 395 in the afternoon session. Bismillah Khan, who resumed on 58 in his team’s overnight score of 209-2 in the second innings, was again dismissed in the 80s for the second time in the match. Again it was paceman Mohammad Abbas who got his prized scalp when he had him taken behind the stumps by wicket-keeper Naeem Anjum for 85 (92 balls, 13 fours).

Bismillah and his overnight partner Akbar-ur-Rehman were involved in a third-wicket partnership of 86. Akbar, who was batting on 21 the evening before, departed after making 52 in 66 minutes off 43 deliveries with the aid of six boundaries.

The rest of the KESC innings was dominated by young Saad Ali. The left-handed former representative of the Pakistan Under-19 side scored 76 of the 134 runs added to the total since his arrival at the crease until he finally ran out of partners when last man Mir Hamza was run out for four.

Saad’s undefeated 94-ball knock, lasting 142 minutes, was embellished with six fours and three sixes.

Abbas, who grabbed 5-107 in the first innings, captured three for 115 in 20 overs to end up with match figures of eight for 222. Left-arm seamer Nasrullah Khan took two for 82 in 13 overs, while medium-pacer Hamza Nadeem was also expensive as he gave away 95 runs in his 16 overs and bagged two wickets.