Last QAT Super-8 round begins today

KARACHI: The last round of the Super Eight stage of the Quaid-i-Azam Trophy (QAT)2017-18 would begin here and Hyderabad simultaneously on Friday (today) which will also decide the finalists of the country’s premier domestic event.

Defending champions Wapda, who defeated United Bank Limited (UBL) in their last Group II game here at the NBP Sports Complex early this week, need only to avoid an innings defeat at the hands of Sui Southern Gas Company (SSGC) here at the State Bank of Pakistan Ground. The pitch of the venue has been proved too lethal so far in this important phase of the competitions.

If they averted an innings defeat they would qualify for the final which will be held from December 21. Wapda are in real form and the way they beat UBL in their last game, despite setting up a low target for the bankers, shows that it would be difficult for SSGC to stop them.

Wapda have 16 while SSGC and UBL have six points each. As the pitch may pose trouble for the batsmen, Test-discard Mohammad Asif and left-arm pacer Waqas Maqsood, who had taken nine wickets in an innings in his team’s opening game of the super eight stage against KRL at the same venue, would be key for the Lahore-based outfit which has been very much motivated in the entire event. UBL-KRL meeting would be held at UBL Sports Complex.

Meanwhile Group I is more tough and interesting as three teams including former champions Sui Northern Gas Pipelines Limited (SNGPL, 12 points), Habib Bank Limited (HBL, 10 points) and Lahore Blues (9 points) are in contention for the only final berth in the group at stake. SNGPL will meet Lahore Blues at the Niaz Stadium Hyderabad. A huge win will be needed for both sides if they are to press for the final spot.

Ahmed Shehzad-led HBL, which have so far done a glorious job, meet Lahore Whites at the NBP Sports Complex. HBL, who had held SNGPL to a draw in their opener before beating Lahore Blues, have great chance of a win as Lahore Whites’ interest in the event has already ended with back to back defeats in their previous matches.