KARACHI: Khan Research Laboratories’ (KRL) resurgence continued on Sunday when they set up the final against Pakistan International Airlines (PIA) in the NBP Challenge Cup underway in Lahore.

Four-time winners KRL came into the country’s premier cup football competition trying to rebound from a dismal Pakistan Premier Football League (PPFL) season in which they managed to finish seventh despite coming in as three-time defending champions.

And their appearance in the final, following a 1-0 semi-final victory over Pakistan Army, would go a long way in helping them reassert themselves as a domestic force.

Murtuza Hussain scored the winner in the 23rd minute at the Faisal Town Stadium for KRL, who last month parted ways with long-serving coach Tariq Lutfi.

PIA, meanwhile, are hoping to win their first major title since 1997 when they won the National Football Championship which was rebranded to PPFL in 2004.

Shamim Khan’s side prevailed 5-4 in a penalty shootout against Wapda after the game ended in a 1-1 draw after extra-time. Riaz gave PIA the lead in the 62nd but Razzaq restored parity nine minutes from time.

Published in Dawn, April 27th, 2015

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