Sui Gas beat Pakistan University Grants Commission by a comprehensive margin of seven wickets to maintain their supremacy over the rest of the six teams after the fifth round of the Patron's Trophy (Grade II) competition.

With only two rounds left in the competition and Public Works Department, so far the second team in the tournament, way behind with 20 points, Sui Gas (37 points) are certain to reach the final of the trophy, which will be start from the 27th of this month.

Winning the toss on a lively pitch at Punjab University New Campus Ground, Lahore, Sui Gas put the opposition into bat. This decision soon paid off as the University Grants Commission (PUGC) succumbed in only 57 overs to be all out for a paltry 108. Kashif Shafi proved their main destroyer, taking six wickets for only 44 runs in 25.3 overs of fine off break bowling.

Sui Gas batsmen made the most of some average bowling of PUGC, collecting 245 for 8 in their allotted 80 overs. The main architect in their total was Iqbal Zahoor who played a fine knock of 71. He was supported in his effort by Ali Hussain (32) and the skipper Farid Butt (36).

PUGC batsmen fared marginally better in their second innings by scoring 205 runs, which contained a top score of 69 by their captain, Rashid Riaz. But his effort was not sufficient to post a formidable target for the eventual winners of the match.

Sui Gas reached the winning target of 69 in 15th over of their innings, while losing three wickets in the process.

In the second match of this round Pakistan Army beat Air Force (PAF) by 57 runs to finish the fifth round with 17 points to their credit.

Batting first on a docile-looking LCA ground pitch in Lahore, Pakistan Army collected 270 in their first innings before restricting PAF to 183. They owe their first innings effort to a fine century (101) by Captain Mansoor at the opener's slot. Sheraz Khalid and Hashim Iqbal also played well for Army, scoring 52 and 36, respectively.

PAF bowlers fought their way back strongly into the match by restricting the opposition to 101 in their second innings. However, their batsmen failed to capitalize on the situation. Requiring 189 to win the match, they wilted under pressure to be bowled out for 131 in their second innings, thus, conceding the match by 57 runs.

After this win, Pakistan Army now stand third in the point's table behind Sui Gas and Public Works Department. The third match of this round between Public Works Department and Service Industries turned out to be a drab affair, as bowlers from both sides were made to toil on a placid track at the Saga Cricket Ground, Sialkot.

However, the former managed to steal three important points courtesy first innings lead. They now finish the fifth round at number-two position with 20 points against their name.

© CricInfo