KARACHI, Dec 20: Wapda with impressive victories in their opening two Pool ‘A’ matches in the Patron’s Trophy will be hoping for a repeat performance against PIA in the four-day clash starting in Hyderabad on Monday.
Wapda, however, need to improve their Patron’s Cup one-day form after being beaten by both KRL and Pakistan Customs in their first two games. They face PIA on Sunday in the limited-overs fixture that precedes the first-class encounter.
PIA, chasing their third straight one-day win, went down by three wickets to KRL in the Patron’s Trophy tie after being bowled out for a paltry 127 in the first innings.
KRL, who avenged their defeat in the final of the Quaid-i-Azam Trophy last season, meet a disappointing Pakistan Customs team here at the UBL Sports Complex. Customs had no business to lose to Wapda on Thursday. But they did, folding up for only 94 runs in pursuit of a target of 207 on a benign Niaz Stadium pitch.
Bangladesh ‘A’, meanwhile, are still working out as to how minnows Defence Housing Authority (DHA) denied them a certain victory after being asked to follow-on. They now face a much stiffer challenge in the shape of PTCL at National Stadium.
ZTBL, on the other hand, have taken early lead in Pool ‘A’ after their resounding success against Karachi Port Trust in Peshawar. They take on National Bank at the same venue.
In the remaining two matches, Allied Bank meet Sui Gas at KRL Stadium while Allied Bank tackle KPT after rains badly disrupted the opening round games in Rawalpindi.
Schedule (Dec 21-25):
Pool ‘A’: KRL v Pakistan Customs at UBL Sports Complex, Karachi; Bangladesh ‘A’ v PTCL at National Stadium, Karachi; PIA v Wapda at Niaz Stadium, Hyderabad.
Pool ‘B’: National Bank v ZTBL at Arbab Niaz Stadium, Peshawar; Habib Bank v Sui Gas at KRL Stadium, Rawalpindi; Allied Bank v Karachi Port Trust at Pindi Cricket Stadium, Rawalpindi.