KARACHI: Misbah-ul-Hassan’s first-half strike proved to be the winner as National Bank of Pakistan (NBP) scraped past Khan Research Laboratories (KRL) 1-0 in the Pakistan Premier Football League (PPFL) on Friday.

Misbah scored in the 36th minute of a feisty clash at the Korangi Baloch Football Stadium, capitalising on a counter-attack to stun dethroned champions KRL.

Youngster Munir Ahmed, who scored the winner in the same clash last season, was influential throughout the match for Nasir Ismail’s side who had to be thankful to goalkeeper Mohammad Umar for keeping them in the game with a series of fine saves.

“It was a brilliant performance from the boys,” Nasir told Dawn after the match. “We attacked when we needed to and defended well when we came under pressure.

The victory helped NBP leapfrog KRL into sixth place on goal difference with both teams on 30 points from 21 games.

“At the start of the season, we’d made our aim to finish amongst the top eight and [with one game of the season to go] I hope we’ll be able to hold onto sixth place,” Nasir said.

Published in Dawn, January 17th, 2015

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