LAHORE, March 27: After their narrow escape in the quarterfinal against Habib Bank, Khan Research Laboratories will be hoping for a easier ride against Wapda in the second semifinal of the NBP One-day Patron’s Cup at Gaddafi Stadium on Friday.

KRL, led by dumped Pakistan fast bowler Shoaib Akhtar, qualified for the last four stage with a remarkable one-wicket win over Habib Bank on Tuesday at the same venue thanks to Mohammad Ramzan’s unbeaten 114, who struck the winning boundary off the final delivery of the game.

Wapda, on the other hand, were never troubled by Peshawar in their match at Gymkhana Ground in Okara. The powermen emerged winners by a comfortable margin of 127 runs.

KRL are overwhelming favourites to win the day-night semifinal against a side who have no major stars to rely upon.

In contrast, apart from Shoaib KRL have Misbah-ul-Haq, arguably the most consistent batsman this domestic season, Ali Naqvi, Ramzan and talented youngsters like Saeed bin Nasir, Yasir Arafat and Saeed Anwar Junior.

Wapda will be relying heavily on all-rounder Rana Naveed-ul-Hasan, who is the national squad for the Sharjah Cup.