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Former Pakistan captain Wasim Akram is likely to beef up the star- studded PIA in the second round of the Patron's Trophy Grade-I Cricket Championship Thursday.

Akram skipped the five-wicket victory against Allied Bank in Sialkot last week after indicating that he would only play in matches at Lahore and Sheikhupura.

PIA, who surprisingly have won this tournament only twice - when it was known as the BCCP Trophy - in 1970-71 and 1971-72, take on last season's runners-up National Bank at Sheikhupura Stadium.

If Akram plays in this four-day clash then he will be in direct confrontation with his old pace partner Waqar Younis. The Pakistan captain, alongwith with his deputy Inzamam-ul-Haq, were given special permission by the Pakistan Cricket Board to play for National Bank.

Inzamam, who was unable to play in the opening match because of some domestic commitments, is also likely to get back in action against probably the most potent pace attack in the country. Besides Akram, PIA have Abdur Razzaq, Azhar Mahmood, Fazle Akbar and Mohammad Zahid Senior at their disposal.

Reigning champions Pakistan Customs started the new season on a perfect note when they thrashed Wapda by innings and 111 runs. But their young team will be severely put to test by a vastly experienced Habib Bank side at Iqbal Stadium.

The seven-time champions were rarely troubled by newcomers Pak PWD in their first game, which they won by 227 runs.

Second round schedule (Sept 27-30):

PIA v National Bank at Sheikhupura Stadium (Umpires: Masroor Ali and Zamir Haider). Match referee: Saadat Ali).

Habib Bank v Habib Bank at Iqbal Stadium, Faisalabad (Umpires: Athar Zaidi and Nadeem Ghauri. Match referee: Anwar Khan).

Allied Bank v ADBP at Gaddafi Stadium, Lahore (Umpires: Saleem Badar and M. Akbar Khan. Match referee: Farrukh Zaman).

KRL v Wapda at Pindi Cricket Stadium, Rawalpindi (Umpires: Shakeel Khan and Z.I. Pasha. Match referee: Azmat Rana).

Pak PWD v Sui Gas at Jinnah Stadium, Sialkot (Umpires: Riazuddin and Rasheed Bhatti. Match referee: Fahimuddin Alvi).

© Dawn