Big wins for Karachi Blues and NBP
Rumman Raees, Akbar-ur-Rehman
Karachi Blues notched up their first win of the tournament, beating Islamabad by 121 runs at the Diamond Club Ground in Islamabad. The hosts were set a target of 210 but capitulated against a collective bowling effort from Karachi. Seamers Rumman Raees and Akbar-ur-Rehman grabbed three wickets each, and were supported by Tabish Khan and Adeel Malik who shared four wickets. Islamabad kept losing wickets without any strong resistance to show for, and the opening partnership of 22 was their highest. They folded for 89 and are now tied with nine points with Karachi, who are just one spot below on the table at 11th place. National Bank of Pakistan cruised to their third win of the tournament, beating Water and Power Development Authority by nine wickets at the Jinnah Stadium in Sialkot. NBP had gained a lead of 161 in the first innings and had WAPDA on the back foot at the end of the third day, having reduced them to 93 for 4. Mohammad Talha starred for NBP on the final day, finishing with figures of 6 for 53 and the only significant resistance his team met was from Umair Asif, who made 58. Wasim Khan, the seamer, supported Talha, chipping with three wickets and WAPDA could only muster 224 in their second attempt. NBP knocked off their target of 64 in just 5.5 overs. WAPDA, at the end of the round, find themselves at the fifth place on the table, still one spot ahead of NBP.
