Cabrera, three shots out of the lead at the start of the day, posted five birdies on Saturday, including four on the way in for a back-nine 32.

The 31-year-old Cabrera is still in search of his first victory on the European Tour. He has come close the last few seasons, with his most recent brush coming last year when he fell one shot short of Lee Westwood at the Smurfit European Open.

In 1999, Cabrera recorded a second-place finish behind Colin Montgomerie in the Benson and Hedges International Open, and later that same year was the runner-up to Sergio Garcia in the Irish Open.

"I have not been too disappointed at not winning so far," said Cabrera, who tied for ninth in his only other start of the year at last week's Dubai Desert Classic. "It's not a problem. I know I will have a lot of chances -- it is coming."

Karlsson fell off the lead with back-to-back bogeys at the fourth and fifth holes, followed by a four-putt for double-bogey at the par- three eighth. After regaining his composure with birdies on the each first three holes of the back nine, Karlsson made his way home with birdies at the 16th and 18th.

"I sort of lost my rhythm and panicked a little," said the 6- foot-11 Karlsson. "When I came to the turn I thought there were still 27 holes left and I was only two shots behind the leader. I had a great back nine to get back into it."

Karlsson, a four-time winner on the European Tour, is looking for his first victory since the 1999 Belgacom Open.

Tony Johnstone of Zimbabwe turned in a six-under 66 -- the low round of the day -- that featured just 21 putts. He finished 54 holes tied at 12-under 204 with Scotland's Dean Robertson, who had a 68.

Frenchman Olivier Edmond stands alone in fifth place at 10-under, while 1999 Qatar Masters champion Paul Lawrie is knotted in sixth at minus-nine.

Dubai Desert Classic winner Thomas Bjorn is seven shots off the pace at six-under, three shots better than defending Qatar champ Rolf Muntz.