Report

Victory puts Habib Bank in finals

A round-up of the third day's action in the fifth round of the RBS Pentangular Cup

Cricinfo staff
27-Jan-2010
Fahad Masood grabbed four wickets as Habib Bank Limited humbled Karachi Blues and booked their place in the finals of the Pentagular Cup on the third day at the National Stadium. Resuming at 79 for 4, Karachi's attempt to stay in the match got off to a false start when they lost a wicket after adding just six runs in the morning. Daniyal Ahsan and Sheharyar Ghani reached 40s, before Masood started wielding his influence. Javed Mansoor resisted with 38 to ensure that Habib Bank would have to bat again, before the innings folded at the score of 214. Mohammad Sami got the wicket of Imran Nazir (1), but Habib Bank faced no other hiccups as they romped past the target of 65 in 12 overs.
Having secured a first-innings lead, Sui Northern Gas Pipelines Limited pushed further ahead in the second dig to end the third day 150 runs in front, with five second innings wickets standing at the National Bank of Pakistan Sports Complex. Resuming at 195 for 6, The Rest's hopes of matching SNGPL's first-innings score were carried by the overnight batsmen Naeem Anjum and Arun Lal. The pair added 54 runs before being separated. Zulfiqar Babar made 23 to keep their hopes alive, but spinner Yasir Shah ran through the tail, finishing with four scalps and securing a 35-run lead for his side. SNGPL's second innings was punctuated by the periodic loss of wickets, and if not for first-innings centurion Naeemuddin repeating his heroics, they would have been in a sticky position. His 60 ensured that the lead moved to 150 by stumps, but with only five wickets remaining, The Rest will try their best to force an outright win to earn their spot in the finals.
Teams Mat Won Lost Tied Draw Aban Pts
Habib Bank Limited 4 2 0 0 2 0 24
Sui Northern Gas Pipelines Limited 4* 2 0 0 1 0 18
The Rest 4* 2 0 0 1 0 18
Karachi Blues 4 1 3 0 0 0 6
Sialkot 4 0 4 0 0 0 0