KARACHI, March 18: Barring a spate of unexpected results in the last two round of matches, Faisalabad Wolves are mathematically assured of playing the Gold League final of the National One-day Regional cricket championship at the National Stadium on Thursday.

The Wolves, who top the standings with four straight victories, brace for first real test of strength in the tournament when they meet second-placed Sialkot Stallions on Sunday.

A Wolves victory at the NBP Sports Complex will put pressure on the Stallions, who dethroned Wolves in the Twenty20 Cup final earlier this month, to reach the regional cup final.

Lahore Eagles and Multan Tigers are also in contention for the final. If the Eagles win their Sunday fixture at the National Stadium, they stand an excellent chance of qualifying since their opponents in Tuesday’s last round are the struggling Karachi Zebras.

The Zebras are already contemplating the prospects of playing in the second-tier Silver League next season after finishing bottom of the Gold League following five successive defeats.

Rawalpindi Rams also remain as outsiders to make the final, provided they win both their coming matches against Peshawar Panthers on Sunday and the Wolves two days later and hope permutations come into play.

Meanwhile, Islamabad Leopards and Lahore Lions are set to clash in the Silver League final at the Diamond Cricket Ground in Islamabad on Tuesday. The six-team league’s preliminary phase concluded on Friday.

Remaining Gold League fixtures:

On Sunday: Multan Tigers v Lahore Eagles at National Stadium; Faisalabad Wolves v Sialkot Stallions at NBP Sports Complex; Peshawar Panthers v Rawalpindi Rams at UBL Sports Complex.

On Tuesday: Rawalpindi Rams v Faisalabad Wolves at NBP Sports Complex; Multan Tigers v Sialkot Stallions at UBL Sports Complex; Karachi Zebras v Lahore Eagles at National Stadium.

Standings