KARACHI, May 21: Reigning champions India retained their crown by defeating Pakistan by 235-233 International Match Points (imps) in the final of the open team event of the 14th Asia & Middle East bridge championship at a local hotel on Sunday.

India with Debasish Ray, Kamal Mukherji, Aloke Sadhu and Kamal Roy in their fold snatched the title for the fourth time in a row after winning it in Manama, Bahrain (2001), Amman (2003) and Dhaka (2005).

Barring the result of the final, both India and Pakistan have qualified for the 38th Bermuda Bowl World bridge championship scheduled to be held in Shanghai, China, in September.

At the end of three segments on Saturday, the final was locked at 153-all.

On Sunday, Pakistan resumed the game smartly forging ahead in the fourth segment and won it 46-33, to remain in contention for the title.

But Indians in a remarkable display won the fifth and final frame 48-33.

Meanwhile, the star-packed Damiani won the Transnational Teams bridge tournament.

Damiani had services of World Bridge Federation (WBF) president Jose Daminai, Zia Mahmood, Masood Saleem and Munir Ataullah.

They outplayed all their three rivals – Karachi Gymkhana 25-0, Bangladesh 17-13 and Data Steel 16-14 – to muster 58 victory points (VPs) to win the final league.

Data Steel comprising Tariq Rasheed Khan, Rashid-ul-Ghazi, Pervez Mirza, Imran Jaka and Tahseen Gheewala secured second place with 48 VPs.

Karachi Gymkhana consisted of Shahid Abedi, Shahida, Dr Parveen Rahmani, Osama Ansari and Ehtisham Khan claimed third position.

Damiani collected US$3000 for winning the title. Data Steel collected US$15,000 and Karachi Gymkhana received US$10,000.—APP