Yasir Arafat and Intikhab Alam shared a stand of 135 runs for the seventh wicket in demanding circumstances to set the pace for Khan Research Laboratories' narrow victory over Customs in the second round of Patron's Trophy (Grade I) tournament.

This is Khan Research Laboratories' (KRL) first victory in the eight-team competition, after they were handed down an 8 wicket thumping by National Bank in the first round.

This time around, however, they put up a commendable fight after conceding an imposing 300 runs and then being reduced to 117 for 6 in their first innings. It was at this stage that Yasir (76 not out from 137 balls) and Inthikhab (74 from 134 balls) got together to share a 135-run partnership, which not only earned them a handy first innings lead but also enable them to force victory in the match.

After gaining a psychological advantage by virtue of a 23-run first innings lead, the KRL bowlers went for the kill when Customs came out to bat in their second innings. Jaffer Nazir, the rigth-handed pace man, and Mohammad Sarfraz, the left-hander, took full advantage of the pace and bounce in National Stadium, Karachi's wicket, sharing nine between them to wrap up the Customs innings at 183.

Requiring 161 to win the match, the KRL batsmen made a mess of the things by playing some rash shots. They were reduced to 92 for six, before Pervez Aziz (53) and Yasir Arafat (19) came to their rescue. These two shared a partnership of 57 for the seventh wicket to see their side through to a close win.

Customs did lose the match, but not before some of its players had given noticeable performances. Aamer Bashir played well for 92 in the first innings. He was unlucky to be run out before achieving a well-deserved hundred. Naved Latif (78) and Azam Khan (63) played useful knocks in the middle order to help their side reach the three hundred run-mark. When it came their turn to bowl, they gave the KRL batsmen real horrors by reducing them to 117 for six at one stage. Nadeem Iqbal, the right-handed pace, gave a highly impressive performance taking six wickets for 81.

However, the eventual honours went to the side, which showed greater resolution under trying circumstances. KRL has now 12 points in the their bag by virtue of this win.

The remaining three encounters (Agricultural Development Bank-Allied Bank, Habib Bank-National Bank, Pakistan International Airlines-Wapda) of this round ended in draws.

There is an eight-day's gap in the tournament due to the Eid holidays before the third round begins from the 10th of this month.

© CricInfo