LAHORE, Jan 19: The group ‘A’ leaders Pakistan International Airlines (PIA) and ‘B’ toppers Sialkot are favourties to retain their top slots as they take on weaker sides in their respective pools in the fifth round of the Quaid-i-Azam Trophy National Cricket Championship which commences across the country from Tuesday.

PIA, leading the points table with 21 points from four matches, are meeting Sui Southern Gas Company (SSGC), which is tottering at the fifth place in Group ‘A’ with nine points.

Similarly, in the interesting match of group ‘A’, runners-up Habib Bank Limited (HBL) will also have easy a rather outing against Lahore Shalimar which is at the seventh place with just three points.

In pool, ‘B’, Sialkot Region, the only unbeaten side has to play against Rawalpindi Region.

The runners-up of the pool, Faisalabad with 18 points, will lock horn with Multan Region, which in trouble as are at the 8th position with six points.

Fixtures:

Pool ‘A’:

Karachi Whites vs HBL, DS Stadium, Karachi; Lahore Shalimar vs Sui Northern Gas Pipe Lines, LCCA ground, Lahore; NBP vs Customs, NBP Sports Complex, Karachi;

Wapda vs ZTBL, Sheikhupura Stadium; PIA vs SSGC, Quaid-i-Azam Park, Karachi.

‘B’.

Lahore Ravi vs Quetta, Lahore Country Club, Muridke; Rawalpindi vs Sialkot, Diamond Club, Islamabad; Faisalabad vs Multan, Gymkhana Ground, Okara; Karachi Blues vs Abbottabad, UBL Sports Complex, Karachi.