August 18, 2008	Monday	Sha'aban 15, 1429

KARACHI, Aug 17: Defending champions Shazad Mohammadan Malir and Karachi United Football Club drew 3-3 in the inaugural Premier League Football (PLF) match here at the National Coaching Centre on Saturday night.

The match, which saw last year’s most valuable player of the league Daniyal Alvi scoring a hat-trick for Karachi United FC had Shazad Mohammadan salvaging a draw with a stoppage time equaliser through their striker M. Yunus.

The scoring, earlier, was opened by Karachi United courtesy an Alvi header in the 29th minute. This was followed by Shazad Mohammadan’s equaliser coming just a minute later through striker Asghar Baloch, making the score one-all at interval.

The second half had both sides getting two each with Karachi United going for it first when Alvi gave them a two-goal cushion in the 51st and 59th minutes, the first through a free-kick and the second through solo effort.

Meanwhile, Waheed Gul reduced the deficit for Shazad Mohammadan in the 80th minute, followed by their equaliser in the 90th by M. Yunus.

Earlier, Sports 360’s multi-million rupee league tournament kicked off with a colourful opening ceremony. Apart from an Olympic-style march past of the 16 participating club teams, mementos were distributed among those involved in the PLF talent hunt which took place before the event at the same venue along with the City District Government Karachi (CDGK) Ground and the DHA Stadium between July 25 and Aug 3.

The league was officially inaugurated by Sindh Minister for Sports Dr Mohammad Ali Shah. The ceremony was also attended by the Pakistan Football Federation Director Operations Pervaiz Saeed Mir.