Group A
Hasan Raza scored his sixth first-class double-century as Habib Bank Limited (HBL) had Sui Southern Gas Company (SSGC) on the run at the United Bank Limited (UBL) Sports Complex. Facing a big HBL first-innings total of 419, SSGC had crashed to 194 for 8 in reply still requiring another 76 runs to avoid the follow-on. Hasan, who over a decade ago had become the youngest Test cricketer ever, had reached his 32nd first-class century on Friday with an unbeaten 158 and was eventually dismissed for 204 that included 20 fours and a six. He added 132 runs for the ninth wicket with Fahad Masood (40 off 61) to take his team past 400 after being 281 for 8 at one stage. Sohail Khan took the last two wickets to fall and finished with 6 for 102, his career-best figures. In reply, Saeed Bin Nasir, with an unbeaten 88, was the lone fighter for SSGC as they slumped to 91 for 5. Having faced 175 balls and hit 12 fours and two sixes, Nasir will have Sohail for company as he sets off reducing the damage for his team on the penultimate day.
Despite a century by Afsar Nawaz, Karachi Whites were fighting to at least procure the first-innings lead against Water and Power Development Authority (WAPDA) at the National Stadium. Resuming on 279 for 7, Karachi were bowled out for 315. Afsar's 105, his eighth first-class century, came off 180 deliveries with the help of 16 fours. In reply, WAPDA had reached 277 for 6 by close after suffering an early setback when their opening batsman Ahmed Said had to retire hurt but resumed his innings at the fall of the sixth wicket. There was a splendid 111-run second-wicket partnership between Tariq Aziz (70) and Nawaz Sardar (75) that laid a decent foundation for WAPDA's reply.
Hyderabad gave a spirited reply to National Bank of Pakistan (NBP) at Niaz Stadium as, facing NBP's first-innings total of 477, the home team ended day two on 115 for no loss. Fawad Alam, the Pakistan left-hander, reached 151 after having started on 104 overnight. Mansoor Amjad (46) and Tahir Mughal (51*) gave good support to Alam as the last four wickets added 109 runs. For Hyderabad, the left-handed Aqeel Anjum, already with a double-century in the tournament, hit an unbeaten 49 while Azeem Ghumon contributed an unbeaten 61 off 135 deliveries as Hyderabad look towards 328 in order to avoid a follow-on.
Multan too were off to a strong start against Lahore Ravi at the Gaddafi Stadium . Replying to Lahore's 397, Multan finished at 184 for 2. A 152-run second-wicket partnership between Usman Tariq (69) and Rameez Alam (88*) helped Multan after they had lost their first wicket for 15. Overnight on 295 for 4, Lahore could only add 102 as Abdur Rauf and Rahat Ali grabbed quick wickets to restrict the home side.
At the Sheikhupura Stadium, after having gained a 32-run first-innings lead in a low-scoring match against Sialkot, Faisalabad increased their advantage to 159 but lost five wickets in their second innings. Sialkot were undone by medium-pacer Asad Zarar and slow left-armer Saadat Munir, who had identical figures of four wickets for 32 runs. Left-arm spinner Nayyar Abbas took 4 for 28 as Faisalabad slumped in the second innings with only Ijaz Ahmed, their captain, standing firm with an unbeaten 49.
Group B
After having scored his maiden first-class double century, the 17-year-old Umar Akmal went on to score 248 for Sui Northern Gas Pipeline Limited (SNGPL) before being run out against Karachi Blues at the Asghar Ali Shah Stadium. SNGPL reached a massive total of 624 for 5 before Mohammad Hafeez, their captain, declared. Azhar Shafiq chipped in with a valuable 100 and Mohammad Farrukh scored an unbeaten 51 to boost SNGPL's total as Karachi, in reply, lost four wickets with only 54 runs on the board. A fightback by the middle-order saw them end the day on 174 for 6 at close.
Following a Khan Research Laboratories (KRL) first-innings total of 465 for 9, Islamabad replied with 164 for 4 at Diamond Cricket Club Ground thanks mainly to an unbeaten 101 by opener Raheel Majeed. Earlier, KRL resumed on their overnight 345 for 3 and Azhar Ali took his unbeaten 123 overnight to 150 before being caught behind after hitting 18 fours in his 258-ball knock.
Pakistan International Airlines (PIA) rode on a maiden first-class century by Sarfraz Ahmed as they compiled an impressive 436 in their first innings against Abbottabad at the Abbottabad Cricket Stadium. Sarfraz, batting at No. 6, faced only 153 balls for his 117 that included eight fours and two sixes. Abbottabad, in reply, were given a 90-run third-wicket stand that allowed them to finish the day on 151 for 3.
Resuming on 44 for no loss, Rawalpindi extended their total to 328 for 7 - a lead of 155 - against Quetta at the KRL Stadium. All of Rawalpinidi's batsmen, barring opener Usama Shahroon, went into double figures with Naved Ashraf (98) top-scoring for his team. Quetta, already placed at the bottom of the group, look set for another loss.
Zarai Taraqiati Bank Limited (ZTBL) were all out for 398 in their first innings as Adnan Raza and Wajahatullah Wasti, ZTBL's captain, scored half-centuries against Peshawar at Arbab Niaz Stadium. Resuming on 202 for 2, Inam-ul-Haq reached his century as his team scored at over three runs an over. Rahatullah was the pick of the Peshawar bowlers with four wickets and Bilal Khan picked up three. In reply, Peshawar openers put on 25 runs without being separated in the 12 overs possible before close.