LAHORE, Nov 18: Multan-born striker Arif Mahmood struck his third hat-trick in the Pakistan Premier Football League (PPFL) as titlist Wapda routed Pakistan Steel 5-2 at the Railway Stadium, Lahore on Tuesday.

Meanwhile, Punjab Medical College (PMC) edged out HBL 2-1 at the PMC Ground, Faisalabad.

Pakistan Steel’s two goalkeepers Haroon Rasheed and Amir Wali Khan failed to block the unstoppable Wapda team, who kept their hopes alive for the seventh national title. Right-winger Qamar Zaman opened the floodgates in the 28th minute after Balochistan-based midfielders Mahmood Ali and Zahid Hameed moved in concert.

However, the lead failed to hold as 10 minutes later midfielder Naveed Raza utilised Mohammad Bakhsh’s pass with an angular drive towards the left corner.

Wapda regained the lead in injury time when Arif Mahmood’s attempt deflected off right full Mamoon Rasheed and crossed the line, leaving his brother Haroon with no chance of stopping it. PPFL Technical Official Rauf Bari awarded the goal to Arif Mahmood after consultation with Match Commissioner Arif Siddiqui. Wapda led 2-1 at interval.

Pak Steel gained hopes for a fight back when winger Mohammad Bakhsh, fed by Abdul Wahab, sliced the ball low past keeper Abdul Aziz in the 59th minute to make it 2-2.

From then on it was all Wapda when Coach Khalid Butt sent in fresh legs in the form of Khuda Bakhsh, Tanveer Ahmed and Jamshed Anwar as substitutes.

A handball infringement provided Wapda a golden chance in the 68th minute and Arif made no mistake in converting the penalty-kick, sending keeper Amir Wali the wrong way.

Eight minutes later Arif accelerated on Mahmood’s pass, hoodwinked three markers before firing the ball in between Amir and the post to make it 4-2. It was Arif’s 15th goal of the event. Khuda Bakhsh completed the one-sided 5-2 score line in the 90th minute following a right-wing cross from Qamar Zaman.

PMC wrapped up the wgame against Habib Bank Limited when they led 2-0 at interval with goals from Munir Ahmed and skipper Haroon Yousuf in the 18th and 40th minute, respectively. The bankers reduced the arrears in the 64th minute through Zakir Lashari.

Wednesday’s fixtures: Navy v Afghan FC at Naval Complex, Islamabad; Pakistan Television v Karachi Electric Supply Corporation at PSB Ground, Islamabad; Army v Karachi Port Trust at Army Stadium, Rawalpindi. Matches kick off at 3.00pm.—Agencies