KARACHI, Feb 19: Sri Lankan K. Parbagran got off to a spectacular start on the opening day in Mobilink 43rd Amateur Golf Championship of Pakistan when he fired six-under-par 66 to lead after first round at Arabian Sea Country Club on Thursday.

Brilliant Parbagran except for third and 14 hole, when he made a double bogey, remained in complete control in pack of 45 golfers. The Sri Lankan was at his best making a hole in one at par third and fifth and an eagle on the par-five and 14th. That helped Parbagran to top the leaderboard through a round 66, which based on course of SSS of 74 works our to eight par.

Prabagran carded 31 at the front nine and 35 at back nine. Vaqas Ahmed of Pakistan also showed his class in sunny conditions ended the day 4-under-par 68 to take the second spot which contained six birdies and two bogeys. He posted 35 at front nine and 33 at back nine.

Three stroke behind were Indians Vikrant Chopra of and Amara Pathana after carding a round of one-under-par 71. Four top ranked players each from India, Bangladesh and host Pakistan and two from Iran are battling for honours in the four-day championship.

In the international team event, Sri Lankans are leading followed by Pakistan, three strokes behind and Indians four stroke away. Among the juniors in the age group of 15-17 years also eligible for the individual national title and included players from Sri Lanka.

Amrit Despysa and Mithon Perera came out with respectable round of 73 and 77 and finished among the top 15 on the first day. Following were the top 11 after first round.

66 K.Parbagran (Sri Lanka) 68 Vaqas Ahmed (Pakistan) 71 Vikrant Chopra (India) 71 Amara Pathana (Sri Lanka) 72 Shahid Javed (Pakistan) 72 Harindar Gupta (India) 72 Waseem Rana (Pakistan) 73 Tariq Mahmood (Pakistan) 73 Lalith Kumra (Sri Lanka) 73 Jaideep patwardhan (India) 73 Manav Das (India). APP