KARACHI: Khan Research Laboratories’ (KRL) resurgence is complete — and that too in an emphatic style.

Coming into the NBP Challenge Cup in Lahore after a dreadful Pakistan Premier Football League (PPFL) season, which they entered as three-time defending champions and finished seventh, KRL blanked Pakistan International Airlines (PIA) 3-0 in the final of country’s premier cup tournament on Tuesday, lifting the cup for fifth time in seven years.

“I’m glad we’re back with a bang after a difficult PPFL season,” KRL manager Ayaz Butt told Dawn from Lahore. “We’ve regained the swagger we lost during the PPFL and now our next target is to win the league next season.”

Blunted by the departures of key personnel before last season’s PPFL, KRL’s higher management also let go of long-serving coach Tariq Lutfi when his contract expired last month.

Lutfi helped KRL win the PPFL three times in a row along with two Challenge Cup titles since taking over in 2011 as they established their domestic dominance.

With Pakistan internationals like Kaleemullah, Mohammad Adil and Saddam Hussain in their ranks, KRL also reached the final of the AFC President’s Cup — Asia’s third-tier club tournament — in 2013.

Their success, however, saw Adil, Kaleem and Saddam leave for Kyrgyz giants FC Dordoi while Bilawal-ur-Rehman and Saadullah joined second-tier Sui Southern Gas Company (SSGC) on lucrative deals.

Influential playmaker Mahmood Khan came close to leaving them but he was convinced to stay before Saddam came back after failing to settle at Dordoi.

And key to their resurgence in the Challenge Cup, according to Ayaz, was the return of midfield dynamo Saddam.

“Saddam’s return was a big boost to the team ahead of the Challenge Cup,” he said. “He’s an outstanding player and brings a lot of balance to the squad. He makes marauding runs from the deep, runs well through the channels and helps defensively and his presence adds a lot of grit to the side.”

KRL coach Sajjad Mehmood, who was promoted from his post as assistant coach after Lutfi’s contract wasn’t extended, also hailed Saddam’s contribution to his young side.

“His experience was key because you need that in knockout matches,” he told Dawn, adding that he will look to build on their performance in next season’s PPFL.

But for the time being, he was relieved that KRL were back as a force.

“There was a lot of pressure on us as no one thought we will be able to bounce back,” he added. “Most observers thought our demise had come but the title here shows that we’re still one of the country’s top teams, if not the best.”

The pressure on Sajjad was eased three minutes into the final at the Railways Stadium when Dawood Khan put them in front.

KRL dominated for long periods of the match but couldn’t add to their advantage until two goals in four minutes of the second-half by Izharullah delivered the title.

Signed from Zarai Taraqiati Bank Limited (ZTBL) last season, Izhar made it 2-0 in the 50th minute and his second killed off any chance of PIA comeback.

“The players we signed last season like Izhar and Murtuza [Hussain] have now settled in well and we’re looking to add a few more new faces to boost our chances of winning the PPFL next season,” Ayaz said.

Winning the PPFL would mean KRL are back to doing what they know best — dominating domestic football.

Published in Dawn, April 29th, 2015

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