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National Bank will be eager to settle a few old scores when they face defending champions Pakistan Customs in a third round fixture of the Patron's Trophy Grade-I Cricket Championship at Jinnah Stadium in Gujranwala Wednesday.

The bankers, who lost last season's final in Lahore despite taking first innings, were humiliated by Customs almost three years in a remarkable match at UBL Sports Complex here.

On that occasion, National Bank were shot out for the lowest ever total in Pakistan history - a mere 20 in the first session of the a match which Customs won by innings and 221 runs.

Fortunes this time heavily favours the four-time champions National Bank with the likes of Waqar Younis and Inzamam-ul-Haq bolstering them as guest players.

Customs, on the other hand, have lost four players who figured prominently to give their maiden crown last April. However, the pick of the latest round of matches is the star-studded battle between seven-time champions Habib Bank and the formidable PIA outfit at Gaddafi Stadium in Lahore. Both were held to draw by Customs and National Bank respectively in the previous round.

Former Test batsman Ijaz Ahmed is a likely starter tomorrow having missed the two first games for Habib Bank. A seasoned campaigner, the 33-year-old Ijaz faces a stern comeback against the likes of Wasim Akram, Abdur Razzaq and company.

Khan Research Laboratories (KRL), who are the only side to maintain perfect record with two straight wins, meet relative newcomers PWD in Sialkot.

© Dawn