Shabbir opens up four-shot lead atop Sindh Open leaderboard.

KARACHI -- About half an hour past sunrise, Shabbir Iqbal strode out to the Arabian Sea Country Club course with a share of the lead at the start of the second round of the Sindh Open Golf Championship.

On a day when his grey jacket glistened in the winter sunshine, Pakistan's top golfer shone brightly to open up a four-shot advantage atop the leaderboard.

Shabbir was at his sublime best on Saturday as he shot a 66 for an 11-under 133 to set himself up for yet another tilt at the title. If he manages to keep his lead intact in the third and final round on Sunday, it deliver be a seventh victory at the tournament for Shabbir.

But it won't be a cakewalk.

Matloob Ahmed stormed into contention with a 66 and is in a quartet of golfers at 137, which also includes defending champion Ahmed Baig (68), Ansar Mehmood (67) and Taimoor Khan (69).

Wisal Khan shot the day's best of 65 and is tied with Waheed Baloch (67) on 138, a stroke ahead of Mohammad Nazeer (68), Mohammad Ashfaq (68) and Mohammad Alam (69).

Mohammad Munir, who was tied atop the leaderboard at the start of the round, fell seven strokes behind after a 73. Alongside him on 140 is Khalid Khan (72).

With the cut set at 145, the professionals' field was reduced to less than half with only 43 of 100 participants to be in action on Sunday.

Abdul Wadood took a commanding lead in the junior professionals' competition, with a 68 that put him to two-under 142 and seven strokes ahead of Akash Bashir (74).

Ali Hai (74) and Nadir Khan (74) share the lead in the amateurs' contest; the duo at 154 and a shot ahead of Waqas Burki (77).

All eyes on Sunday, however, will be on Shabbir and his quest for a record-extending title. And if he were to replicate his second-round performance, there is little chance for the rest of the field.

Shabbir opened up with a...