LAHORE, Feb 22 An upset defeat of Pool `B` leaders Sialkot at the hands of Islamabad and a drawn game between Pool `A` toppers National Bank of Pakistan (NBP) and Khan Research Laboratories (KRL) in the ninth round of the Quaid-i-Azam Trophy National Championship sets up an open contest for the various finalists on Sunday.

Sialkot, which had remained unbeaten so far, lost by five wickets to Islamabad at the Diamond Club Ground, Islamabad. But Sialkot with 51 points is on the top despite the defeat. The win only helped Islamabad share the second position with Rawalpindi. Both will be vying to make the final with 45 points, each.

The last round, starting Wednesday, will see Sialkot looking to beat Faisalabad in order to reach the final. Rawalpindi will play against Peshawar and Islamabad will meet Lahore Ravi. Both are in need of victories as in the case of Sialkot`s defeat, they will have a chance to reach the final, too.

Islamabad, who had earned a 93-run lead after scoring 361 in the first innings in reply to Sialkot`s total of 268 after resuming at 354-9, bundled out the rivals in the second innings for a paltry 185 to get a slim winning target of 93. Islamabad knocked home losing five wickets in just 11 overs.

In Pool `A`, NBP managed to play a drawn game in a crucial match against KRL at the KRL Stadium, Rawalpindi, to retain its top slot with 48 points. But KRL gained three points on their first innings lead of 53 runs to get an aggregate of 42 in order to put pressure on the leaders.

In the final round, KRL are to play against Customs, a rather weak side, while NBP will lock horns with defending champions SNGPL, who dropped to fourth with 36 points from the third place after losing to PIA by two wickets. The win has raised PIA`s point tally to 41, also giving them a chance to make it to the final.

NBP, after conceding the lead, batted well in the second innings to declare at 357 for four in 83 overs as Nasir Jamshed (107), Umar Amin (85), Nomanullah (80) and Qaiser Abbas (63) all played responsible knocks to set a difficult target of 304 for KRL. But KRL were restricted to 152 for seven in 43 overs with Mohammad Wasim contributing an unbeaten 72.

Solid batting by Yasir Hameed (73, 11 fours), Sarfraz Ahmed (51), and Anwar Ali (48 not out) helped PIA earn a two-wicket win against SNGPL after a thrilling finish at the Iqbal Stadium, Faisalabad.

PIA had conceded a big lead of 102, but fine bowling by Najaf Shah (5-51) packed SNGPL`s second innings for a measly 183, before Yasir, Sarfraz and Anwar achieved the winning target of 286 for the loss of eight wickets in 67.5 overs.

Four wickets each by Tabish Khan (4-34) and Tabish Nawab (4-35) enabled Karachi Blues (KB) to beat Multan by 202 runs at UBL Ground No. 2 at Karachi.

KB, after seizing a 141-run lead, were bundled out for 194 in the second innings to set a winning target of 336 for Multan. But they could only collect 133 in 39.3 overs.

Four wickets by Abdul Razzaq (4-48) helped Zarai Taraqiati Bank Limited (ZTBL) to obtain a big 158-run win against Habib Bank Limited (HBL) at the Sheikupura Stadium.

HBL, chasing a difficult winning target of 462 after conceding a 205-run lead, were all out for 303 with captain Hasan Raza becoming the top scorer with 62.

Quetta also earned a three-run win against Hyderabad at the Municipal Sports Stadium in Mirpur Khas.

A fine unbeaten century by Jahangir Mirza (101) and Aamer Sajjad (47 not out) enabled Wapda to beat Customs by eight wickets at the Jinnah Stadium in Sialkot.

Three other matches ended in draw.

Summarised scores

At KRL Stadium, Rawalpindi. Match drawn.

NBP 184. And 357-4 declared, 83 overs (Nasir Jamshed 107, Umer Amin 85, Noman Ullah 80, Qaiser Abbas 63). KRL 237, 50.3 overs (Mohammad Wasim 49; Mohammad Amir 6-95). And 152-7 (Mohammad Wasim 72 not out).

At Diamond Club Ground, Islamabad. Islamabad beat Sialkot by five wickets.

Sialkot 268, 54.4 overs. And 185, 54.2 overs (Haris Sohail 60, Mohammad Ayub 65; Saad Altaf 4-62). Islamabad 361 86.5 overs. And 93-5.

At Iqbal Stadium, Faisalabad. PIA won by two wickets.

SNGPL 325, 101.5 overs. And 183, 73.3 overs (Najaf Shah 5-51). PIA 225, 71.5 overs. And 286-8, 67.5 overs (Yasir Hameed 73, Sarfraz Ahmed 51, Anwar Ali 48; Yasir Shah 4-83).

At UBL Ground No. 1, Karachi. Karachi Blues won by 202 runs.

KB 326, 101 overs. And 194-9, declared (Shehryar Ghani 76, Akber Rehman 54; Zulifqar Babar 5-69). Multan 185, 71.5 overs. And 133, 39.3 overs (Tabish Khan 4-34, Tabish Nawab 4-35).

At Sheikhupura Stadium. ZTBL won by 158 runs.

ZTBL 290, 100 overs. And 256, 72.5 overs. HBL 85, 24.5 overs. And 303, 92.1 overs (Hasan Raza 62, Fahad Masood 41; Abdul Razzaq 4-48).

At Municipal Sports Complex, Mirpur Khas. Quetta won by three runs.

Quetta 163, 49.4 overs. And 359, 79.5 overs (Jalat Khan 170, Taimoor Ali 60). Hyderabad 249, 71.1 overs. And 270, 84.3 overs (Hanif Malik 75, Lal Kumar 63; Nazar Hussain 4-74, Gohar Riaz 4-86).

At Jinnah Stadium, Sialkot. Wapda won by eight wickets.

Customs 303, 91.1 overs. And 144, 50 overs. Wapda 244, 82.3 overs (Jahangir Mirza 135). And 206-2 (Jahangir Mirza 101, Aamer Sajjad 47 not out).

At Sports Stadium, Sargodha. Match drawn.

Faisalabad 399, 109.3 overs. And 396, 93.5 overs (Usman Arshad 88, Qaiser Iqbal 69, Naved latif 81, Ahmad Hayat 50; Nauman Habib 7-119). Peshawar 279, 77.2 overs. And 153-1, 35 overs (Naveed Khan 66, Israr Ullah 75 not out).

At Lahore Country Club, Muridke. Match drawn.

Karachi Whites 501-7, declared, 143 overs. And 194-4 (Khalid Latif 105). Lahore Shalimar 384, 91.1 overs (Asim Naz 64, Suleman Khan 58, Asif Raza 55). And 112-3, 29 overs.

At LCCA Ground. Match drawn.Abbottabad 287, 83 overs. And 378-5 (Adnan Raees 159). Lahore Ravi 437, 142.3 overs (Raza Ali 111, Sohail Ahmed 126, Ashraf Ali 53; Inam Khan 4-99).