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Sheikhupura, Peshawar and Lahore Blues are fighting a three-way struggle to emerge as Group-II winners in the Quaid-i-Azam Trophy Grade-I cricket championship.

With only team one to qualify for the March 1-5 final from each group, the last four preliminary rounds of matches should provide enthralling encounters, particularly in Group-II. Therefore, Sheikhupura's home tie against defending champions Lahore Blues, starting Friday, is the pick of sixth round's fixtures. Sheikhupura currently hold a three-point advantage over Lahore Blues and Peshawar, who face Rest of Punjab.

Peshawar could leapfrog to the top of Group-II standings if they manage to collect maximum points against Punjab and hope for a draw in the Sheikhupura clash.

The situation is Group-I is relatively more clear with leaders and last season's runners-up Karachi Whites are away to second-placed Bahawalpur with 12 points separating the two. But Moin Khan's men can't afford a defeat at this stage of the championship despite having 39 points at the moment.

Gujranwala, who like Bahawalpur have 27 points, are at home to Karachi Blues.

Sixth round schedule (Feb 1-4):

*Bahawalpur v Karachi Whites at Bahawalpur Stadium.

*Gujranwala b Karachi Blues at Jinnah Stadium, Gujranwala.

*Faisalabad v Rest of Balochistan at Iqbal Stadium, Faisalabad

*Sargodha v Rest of Sindh at Sports Stadium, Sargodha.

*Sheikhupura v Lahore Blues at Sheikhupura Stadium.

*Rest of Punjab b Peshawar at Gaddafi Stadium, Lahore.

*Sialkot v Rest of NWFP at Jinnah Stadium, Sialkot.

*Lahore Whites v Islamabad at LCCA Ground, Lahore.

© Dawn