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Defending champions Pakistan Customs face KRL in a crucial eighth round encounter of the Patron's Trophy Grade-I National Cricket Championship from Friday at Niaz Stadium in Hyderabad.

After two successive draws against PWD and PIA on the docile strip at UBL Sports Complex despite forcing both their rivals to follow-on, Customs must win against KRL with maximum points to keep alive their slim hopes of retaining the title.

National Bank, six points clear of second-placed Customs, meanwhile, are praying for better weather in Sheikhupura for their clash against a resurgent WAPDA side. Last season's runners-up had to settle for just three points against Habib Bank in a match which saw more than 175 overs being lost to bad light.

WAPDA, in third spot, scored a miraculous six-run victory over winless Sui Gas in the previous round to put themselves in contention for first major honours.

Even if the Sheikhupura tie fails to produce an outright result in National Bank's favour, the bankers have probably the easiest final round fixture - against minnows Sui Gas in Faisalabad. - that could see them become champions.

ADBP, in fourth spot, meet PIA on a result-oriented pitch at National Stadium. This could be an interesting tussle between two evenly-matched sides on paper. Team winning the toss will definitely opt to field first.

ADBP go into this encounter with psychological advantage of a two-day win over PWD based on young opener Inam-ul-Haq's flawless maiden first-class century.

PIA, on the other hand, were fortunate to escape defeat against an injury-hit Customs bowling attack. However, the form of young Faisal Iqbal was a huge plus point for the former champions.

Seven-time champions Habib Bank have an ideal opportunity to move up the ladder against the luckless Sui Gas, who have lost all but one of their seven fixtures so far. They meet at Pindi Cricket Stadium.

The draw is the most likely result in the Allied Bank-PWD tie at UBL Sports Complex.

Eighth round schedule (Nov 2-5):

Allied Bank v PWD at UBL Sports Complex, Karachi (Umpires: Afzaal Ahmed and Masroor Ali. Match referee: Sajid Abbasi).

PIA v ADBP at National Stadium, Karachi (Umpires: Mian Aslam and Sadiq Mohammad. Match referee: Ghafoor Butt).

Pakistan Customs v KRL at Niaz Stadium, Hyderabad (Umpires: Shakeel Khan and Feroz Butt. Match referee: Naeem Ahmed).

National Bank v WAPDA at Sheikhupura Stadium (Umpires: Z.I. Pasha and Iqbal Butt. Match referee: Ehteshamuddin).

Habib Bank v Sui Gas at Pindi Cricket Stadium, Rawalpindi (Umpires: Iftikhar Malik and Aleem Dar. Match referee: Musaddeq Rasool).

© Dawn