KARACHI: Buoyed by their comprehensive victory the other day, Karachi Dolphins aim to surprise Zarai Taraqiati Bank Limited (ZTBL) when the two teams clash in a third-round Gold League fixture of the Quaid-i-Azam Trophy National Cricket Championship here on Friday.

The Dolphins made light work of a rather depleted Sui Northern Gas Pipelines Limited (SNGPL) side by 234 runs on Wednesday with talented duo of left-handed batsman Saad Ali (105 and 73) and leg-spinner Shahzaib Ahmed Khan (6-67 and 3-41) making significant contributions.

Having lost to Port Qasim Authority (PQA) in their opening fixture, it was a great comeback by the Dolphins on a sporting National Stadium track prepared under the vigilant eye of head curator Ahsan Arain by his hardworking team. Ahsan is currently recuperating from an arm injury that was placed in plaster during the National T20 Cup last month.

ZTBL, fresh from a crushing first win of the season against Lahore Lions in the previous round, will be hoping to carry their momentum against the Dolphins with a formidable squad led by former Pakistan captain Shoaib Malik.

Leaders Water and Power Development Authority (Wapda), with successive wins by innings, seek another cakewalk outing as they meet Multan Tigers while PQA eye another favourable result when take on bottom-placed Rawalpindi Rams.

Islamabad Leopards, who sealed a thrilling one-wicket win against United Bank last Monday, have their work cut out as they host National Bank for whom Fawad Alam marked his return from international with the first — and only — double of the season so far.

United Bank will be hoping that their young off-spinner Junaid Ilyas repeats his fine bowling effort (match bag of nine wickets) that almost earned victory against the Leopards, against Peshawar Panthers.

It was an irony that SNGPL and United Bank who contested the now defunct President Trophy final last season both suffered defeats in the second round.

In the Silver League segment Khan Research Laboratories (KRL) have a great chance of closing the gap on Group-I leaders Pakistan International Airlines (PIA) as they face the struggling Karachi Zebras here at the UBL Sports Complex. KRL are just three points behind PIA, who visit Lahore Eagles at the LCCA Ground in Lahore.

Habib Bank also look forward to consolidate their position atop Group-II when they are hosted by Faisalabad Wolves, while second-placed Sui Southern Gas Company (SSGC) travel to Sialkot’s Jinnah Stadium to play Sialkot Stallions.

Third-round schedule:

Gold League: Karachi Dolphins vs Zarai Taraqiati Bank Limited (National Stadium, Karachi); Multan Tigers vs Water and Power Development Authority (Multan Cricket Stadium, Multan); Lahore Lions vs Sui Northern Gas Pipelines Limited (Gaddafi Stadium, Lahore); Rawalpindi Rams vs Port Qasim Authority (Pindi Cricket Stadium, Rawalpindi); Islamabad Leopards vs National Bank (Diamond Club Ground, Islamabad); Peshawar Panthers vs United Bank (Arbab Niaz Stadium, Peshawar).

Silver League: Karachi Zebras vs Khan Research Laboratories (UBL Sports Complex, Karachi); Faisalabad Wolves vs Habib Bank (Iqbal Stadium, Faisalabad); Lahore Eagles vs Pakistan International Airlines (LCCA Ground, Lahore); Sialkot Stallions vs Sui Southern Gas Company (Jinnah Stadium, Sialkot); Pakistan Television vs Quetta Bears (National Cricket Ground, Islamabad); Abbottabad Falcons vs State Bank (Abbottabad Cricket Stadium, Abbottabad).

Current standings

(Tabulated under: played, won, lost, drawn, points):

Gold League

Wapda 2 2 0 0 20
Port Qasim 2 2 0 0 15
Islamabad Leopards 2 1 1 0 12 United Bank 2 1 1 0 10 ZTBL 2 1 0 1 10 Karachi Dolphins 2 1 1 0 9
National Bank 2 1 0 1 9 SNGPL 2 1 1 0 6 Peshawar Panthers 2 0 1 1 3 Lahore Lions 2 0 2 0 0Multan Tigers 2 0 2 0 0Rawalpindi Rams 2 0 2 0 0

Silver League Group-I:

PIA 2 2 0 0 18 KRL 2 2 0 0 15 Hyderabad Hawks 2 1 1 0 9 PTV 2 1 1 0 6 Karachi Zebras 2 0 2 0 0 Lahore Eagles 1 0 1 0 0 Quetta Bears 1 0 1 0 0

Group-II:

Habib Bank 2 1 1 0 13 SSGC 2 1 1 0 13 State Bank 2 0 0 2 6 Abbottabad Falcons 1 0 1 0 0 Bahawalpur Stags 2 0 2 0 0 Sialkot Stallions 1 0 1 0 0
Faisalabad Wolves 2 1 1 0 0

Published in Dawn, October 24th, 2014