August 29, 2007	Wednesday	Sha’aban 15, 1428

KARACHI, Aug 28: The league matches of ongoing National Inter-departmental Basketball Championship ended on a sour note on Tuesday after Navy staged a walkout against Habib Bank in protest against referee’s decision at the Arambagh floodlit court.

The bankers were leading 25-22 at the start of second quarter when a Naval player objected to referee Sultan Habib’s decision. The organisers alleged that their coach Tasleem also misbehaved and took his team out of the court.

The Habibians were awarded the match after sailors failed to enter the field in given time. The match was to decide the second place from group B as PAF have already attained top slot.

Earlier, defending champions Army rounded off their league match on a winning note, handing a 60-44 defeat to Wapda. The soldiers led 26-22 at the half time.

Khalid (16) and Pervez (14) were the key players who steered their team to victory. Akhtar scored 18 for the losers.

Demonstrating superior shooting skills, PAF outplayed Police 59-19. The airmen enjoyed 39-14 lead at the interval.

In a match of academic interest, Railways carved out a 75-54 win over KESC.

Though Allah Bux amassed a score of 30, he could not surpass the tournament’s highest individual score of 44 by Naimatullah of Rangers.

Army are drawn to take Habib Bank in the first semi-final on Wednesday at 6.00pm while Wapda face PAF in the second semi-final at 7.30pm.