Second win for National Bank of Pakistan

National Bank of Pakistan moved to second place in the points table with their second win of the tournament, as they beat Multan by six wickets at the Multan Cricket Stadium. NBP had held the edge at the end of the second day, reducing Multan to 63 for 5 after conceding a 42-run first-innings lead. Like in the first innings, it was the fast-bowling pair of Mohammad Talha and Wasim Khan who shared the spoils, grabbing three wickets each. They were supported by the pair of medium-pacer Uzair-ul-Haq and left-arm spinner Qaiser Abbas who picked up two each. The highest score in the Multan innings was 29 by wicketkeeper Ali Hasnain; they lost their last four wickets for eight runs and were skittled out for 129. Opener Nasir Jamshed anchored NBP's chase of 172 with 82 and was supported by Anwar Hafeez (35) and Naumanullah (26 not out) as the game was won with a day to spare.

Zarai Taraqiati Bank Limited gained a crucial first-innings lead against Faisalabad at the Sports Stadium in Sargodha and put themselves in a strong position at the end of the third day. Faisalabad began the day with their noses ahead, at 157 for 1, but were let down by their middle order as the batsmen failed to build on starts. Overnight batsman, opener Farrukh Shehzad, fell for 76 with no addition to his score on the third morning. His partner Hasan Mahmood made 36, Naved Latif contributed 41 while wicketkeeper Mohammad Salman chipped in with 39, each failing to stick on long enough to take their team past the first hurdle - ZTBL's score of 345. The last five wickets fell for 21 as seamer Mohammad Khalil and left-arm spinner Raza Hasan shared seven wickets between them. Faisalabad were bowled out for 287, conceding a lead of 58, and ZTBL, in the second innings, had reached 82 for 2 at stumps.

There was no play on the third day of the contest between Karachi Blues and Habib Bank Limited at the Southend Club Cricket Stadium in Karachi. The decision was a mark of respect for politician Imran Farooq, who was killed in London and his body was brought to Karachi for the funeral.

Rawalpindi had the upper hand at the end of the third day at the Rawalpindi Cricket Stadium against Pakistan International Airlines. Their batsmen helped them gain a significant first-innings lead of 109 and their bowlers restricted PIA to 54 for 3, still 55 adrift, at stumps. Overnight batsman Adnan Mufti progressed to a half-century and was supported in a 69-run stand for the sixth wicket by Sadaf Hussain. Muzammil Nazam extended the lead with an unbeaten 36, batting with the tail. For PIA, fast bowler Ali Imran grabbed four wickets. In the second innings, it was medium-pacer Rizwan Akbar who put PIA under pressure with a miserly spell of ten overs for four runs and two wickets. PIA lost three wickets for four runs after an opening stand of 42, and face a difficult task on the final day.

Sui Northern Gas Pipelines Limited replied strongly to Sialkot's 465 on the third day at the Jinnah Stadium in Sialkot. However, they will be under pressure on the final day as they require a further 107 to gain a first-innings lead with just three wickets in hand. Beginning the day at 66 for 2, SNGPL were in a spot of bother when they were reduced to 117 for 4 but captain Azhar Shafiq led their revival with his 11th first-class ton. He was backed up in a 164-run stand by Usman Arshad, who made 83 but there was trouble in store. Legspinner Mansoor Amjad dismissed both batsmen to dent SNGPL's chances of winning first-innings points. At the end of the day, it was wicketkeeper Adnan Akmal who carried their flame with an unbeaten 25.