KARACHI, Jan 31: Khan Research Laboratories (KRL), Pakistan International Airlines (PIA) and Rawalpindi completed the semifinal line-up in the Quaid-i-Azam Trophy Cricket Championship after rain badly disrupted play in their respective matches.

The fourth and final day of the quarterfinal between KRL and National Bank of Pakistan (NBP) was abandoned without a ball being bowled after rains in the wee hours of Friday’s morning had left the pitch square inundated.

In fact, strong winds had blown off the tarpaulins from the entire area. As a result, pools of water were visible around the match pitch, which incredibly remained dry.

Umpires Islam Khan and Athar Zaidi together with match referee Ilyas Khan supervised the operation to make the area playable. But the desperate efforts of the diligent NSK groundstaff was of no avail and the match was officially abandoned as a draw at 4.00pm.

KRL qualified by virtue of their slender 16-run lead on the first innings. They meet Faisalabad, who beat Zarai Taraqiati Bank Limited (ZTBL) inside three days on Thursday, in the semifinal here at National Stadium from Feb 3.

Rawalpindi, meanwhile, went through by a sheer stroke of luck at Arbab Niaz Stadium. Sargodha had batted themselves into a strong position by amassing 365 for three on day one and a bit. But then rain in Peshawar spoilt the show, allowing further play only after lunch on the final day.

According to playing conditions, Rawalpindi were required to bat for a minimum of 35 overs to decide the qualifiers. Rawalpindi, who actually needed 122 to qualify, reached 170 for four in 38 overs thanks to an unbroken partnership of 104 between Shiraz Khalid (69 off 102 balls with seven fours and two sixes) and Junaid Zia (45 off 60 balls with nine fours).

Meanwhile, PCB’s Cricket Management Committee, taking into consideration the uncertain weather conditions in Punjab and NWFP, decided on Friday to shift the second semifinal, now to be played on Feb 6-9, from Peshawar to UBL Sports Complex and the Feb 17-21 final, originally planned for Gaddafi Stadium, to National Stadium.

Our Sports Reporter adds from Rawalpindi: PIA went through to the semifinals on a better run rate after the last day of their quarterfinal against Wapda was washed out.

Water seeped through the Rawalpindi Stadium covers after Thursday’s heavy rains that had also prevented play on the third day.

The Airliners had a better run rate of 3.710 as against Wapda’s 2.816 by virtue of which they advanced to a semifinal with Rawalpindi.

Scoreboard

SARGODHA (1st Innings) 365-3 declared (Mohammad Hafeez 106, Majid Saeed 105 not out, Atiq Ahmed 83).