KARACHI: Late entrant Wapda won back-to-back games on Friday to consolidate their position for becoming group B champions in the fifth Kashmir Cup Basketball Championship at the KPT Sports Complex wooden court on Friday.

After opening their campaign on a positive note on Thursday night by getting the better of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa 71-48 in the six-team group B, Wapda inflicted 60-52 defeat on Punjab and sent Police packing 65-55 to overcome the back lock.

Organisers said Wapda was supposed to play their next match against Islamabad but the latter who could not win a match so far regretted and left for the capital. Wapda is supposed to play their last group match against Sindh Reds on Saturday morning.

Wapda dominated the first two quarters against Punjab as they change ends 20-8. In the post half time quarters, Wapda defied pressure before emerging 60-52 victorious. Amir Iqbal and Muzammil Mahmood scored 18 and 12 respectively for winners while Zain-ul-Abedin and Farhan finished with 16 and 12 respectively for losers.

Wapda continued their unbeaten run intact when they routed Police 65-55 in their next match after enjoying 45-25 lead at half time. Their triumph revolved around Yawar Khan 18, Ali Jan 16 and Muzammil Mahmood 15. Ali Raza top scored for Policemen with 23 but in vain. Abdul Rehman scored 10.

In other matches, Police thumped Khyber Pakhtunkhwa 51-36 after leading 25-16 at interval. Atiq and Ali Raza stole the limelight for winners with 18 and 12 respectively while Ziaullah and Waleed ended with 16 and 10 respectively for losers.

Fata chalked up their first victory in four games by getting the better of Balochistan 57-49 in group A encounter. The winners led 23-14 at half time.

Haris cashed in most scoring chances to finish with 31 and was supported by Hamza nine and Shahzad six. Tabish 25 and Ahmed Nawaz 12 excelled or losers.

Navy overcome fighting Sindh Greens 52-45 to join Army in the semi-final from group A. As far as group B is concerned, Wapda is on course to finish champions followed by Police.

The semi-finals will be played on Saturday evening while the final is slated for Sunday.

Published in Dawn, March 28th, 2015

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