Khan Research Laboratories (KRL) completed a comprehensive eight-wicket victory
over Zarai Taraqiati Bank Limited (ZTBL), on the final day of their four-day Patron's Trophy Cricket Championship Quadrangular Stage match at the United Bank Limited (UBL) Sports Complex on Wednesday.
Having followed-on with a first-innings deficit of 195 runs, ZTBL only managed to do a little better in the second innings. Resuming at their overnight 124 for 2, still needing 71 runs to avert an innings defeat, they reached 253. This gave them an overall lead of 58 and KRL reached the target of 62 for the loss of only two wickets.
The ZTBL third-wicket partnership of 121 ended with the score on 153. Captain Aamer Bashir's vigil finished at 71 off 185 balls with eight fours. Nightwatchman Shakeel Ansar missed his half-century by two runs, his 48 off 162 balls included five fours. However, six wickets fell with the addition of only 64 runs before Faisal Naved stabilised the situation.
He hit a quick 53 off 80 deliveries in a little over three hours with eight fours and he found an able partner in Imran Sabir. But the damage done by fast bowlers Mohammad Irshad, who took 4 for 58, and Abdul Rauf, 3 for 53, could not be fully repaired.
KRL are now on top of the points table while Habib Bank too have nine points to their credit. But KRL's net run-rate (+0.873) is better than Habib Bank's +0.090. Either side still needs a win in the third and final round to ensure that they claim the Patron's Trophy.