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| September 4, 2005 | Sunday | Rajab 29, 1426 |
Akhtar strikes twice
KARACHI, Sept 3: Akhtar Rasool scored twice in the National Bank’s (NBP) 5-1 victory over Habib Bank (HBL) in the Premier League at Aga Khan Gymkhana on Saturday. NBP rattled the opposition with two early goals in the first half with Sattar Mansoori slamming home the opener in the eighth minute.
While HBL were trying to recover, NBP doubled the lead through Farooq Shah four minutes later. Stand-in HBL goalkeeper Aqeel Ahmad replaced injured Mohammad Shahzad in the 13th minute, while NBP’s Mohammad Ashraf, who was shown a yellow card in the 33rd minute, was on target five minutes later.
With a comfortable 3-0 lead, NBP again started aggressively in the second session, Abdul Aziz try from the edge of the box being taken by Aqeel who stumbled before controlling the ball on line a minute after restart.
While Farooq wasted an opportunity in the 50th minute, Akhtar received a lob in the middle of the box to sweep the ball into the cage for the fourth in the 53rd minute.
NBP fielded stand-in goalkeeper Nadeem Sattar, replacing Zahid Taj in the 66th minute.
Nazir Ahmad of HBL could have reduced the margin had he not shot wide despite a clear opening. Ashraf threatened HBL defences with a powerful 30-metre drive only to see the ball landing in Aqeel’s hands in the 86th minute.
Akhtar got his double when he netted home the fifth for his side from close range in the dying moments of the stipulated time.
HBL got consolation three minutes into injury-time when Nazir converted a penalty kick following a foul by NBP defender in the box.
Monday’s fixture:
PWD v Afghan Club at CDGK Stadium.
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